EFFECTS OF SHORT-TERM PLYOMETRIC TRAINING ON LOWER EXTREMITY POWER, STRENGTH, ENDURANCE AND KICKING SPEED IN MALE COLLEGE SOCCER PLAYERS
Keywords:
Plyometric training, maximal ball velocity, leg power, isokinetic leg strength, Leg enduranceAbstract
This study investigated the effects of 6 weeks plyometric training [PT] on leg power and
strength and kicking velocity. Nineteen male soccer players (age = 19.2 + 1.3 years) were
randomly assigned into control group (CG, n=9) and experimental group (EG, n=10) after
pre-tests on the five measures (maximal ball velocity (MBV), squat jump [SJ],
countermovement jump [CMJ], squat test [ST], and isokinetic leg strength.). Both groups
performed similar bi-weekly soccer training program (technical, tactical, and matches)
together, and EG also performed PT twice per week. Wilcoxon signed-rank test on the pre-test
median scores between EG and CG showed insignificant differences in kicking speed, leg
power, leg strength, and leg endurance. However, significant post-test comparison was found
for leg strength (U=19.0, p=0.034) between EG and CG. In the pre and post-test comparisons,
EG showed significant gains relative to CG in MBV (p < .05, d = 1.37), leg power (p < .05, d
= 0.97), and leg strength (p < .05, d = 0.95) while CG only achieved significant improvement
in the MBV (P < .05, d = 1.16). It concludes that adding plyometric training to regular soccer
training improved leg strength in college soccer players.
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