The Effects Of High Volume Aquatic Plyometric Training On Vertical Jump, Muscle Power, And Torque

Abstract

Plyometric and aquatic plyometric exercises have been shown to improve athletic performance. One benefit of aquatic plyometric activities is the ability to decrease stresses on the body due to the buoyant properties of water. Buoyancy acts as a counterforce to gravity by supporting the body as it moves downward and should allow an athlete to complete higher volumes of aquatic plyometrics with the potential for increased physical outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of high volume aquatic-based plyometrics versus traditional land or aquatic plyometric training on vertical jump (VJ), muscular peak power and torque in the dominant knee. A random sample of forty-seven healthy subjects started the training, but only thirty-nine (n = 39) completed the protocol due to non-compliancy issues and injuries that occurred outside of the training protocol (16 males: age 21.8 ± 2.3, height 181.9 ± 6.9cm, weight 80.7 ± 9.2kg; 23 females: age 22.4 ± 3.5, height 166.5 ± 5.8cm, weight 65.7 ± 10.0kg). The subjects were randomly assigned to one of four groups prior to the data collection process: aquatic group 1 (APT1, 10 subjects), aquatic group 2 (APT2, 11 subjects), land group (LPT1, 8 subjects), and control group (CON, 10 subjects). A six-week plyometric training program for the three exercise groups was conducted twice a week for approximately 30 minutes. APT1 performed a plyometric program in the aquatic setting, while LPT performed the same protocol on land. APT2 performed double the volume of the plyometric program in the aquatic setting. The control group did not participate in any plyometric training and were instructed not to alter their current exercise habits. The exercise groups participated in a plyometric training program that focused on hops and jumps of differing intensities both forward, backward, and laterally. Barriers of different heights were also included in the training program. All subjects were pre and post tested in the performance variables of vertical jump using a VerTec and concentric peak torque and power of the hamstrings and quadriceps using the dominant knee on a KinCom isokinetic dynamometer. A 2 (time) × 4 (group) ANOVA with repeated measures was used to determine if differences existed between the performance variables. At the conclusion of the six-week training program, we found no significant differences in any groups for all tested variables. However, APT2 showed the greatest increased average VJ (+ 1.3cm), overall peak power values (hamstrings, + 14.8W, quadriceps, + 1.2W), and peak torque (quadriceps, + 3.2 ft.lbs) of all training groups. Although we found no significant differences in the performance variables, APT2 improved the most in four out of five tested performance variables showing there are still benefits to aquatic plyometric training. More research is needed to determine aquatic training parameters for optical performance. Despite the fact that our training groups did not differ in their performance, there has been previous research that supports plyometric training in the aquatic environment. Health care professionals can utilize the buoyant properties of water to decrease the potential for injury and provide an excellent training environment for athletes and clients alike to increase their performance.