TY  - JOUR
A1  - Negra, Yassine
A1  - Chaabene, Helmi
A1  - Sammoud, Senda
A1  - Bouguezzi, Raja
A1  - Abbes, Mohamed Aymen
A1  - Hachana, Younes
A1  - Granacher, Urs
T1  - Effects of Plyometric Training on Physical Fitness in Prepuberal Soccer Athletes
JF  - International journal of sports medicine
N2  - This study aimed at examining the effects of plyometric training on stable (SPT) vs. unstable (UPT) surfaces on physical fitness in prepuberal soccer players. Male athletes were randomly assigned to SPT (n = 18; age = 12.7 +/- 0.2 years) or UPT (n = 16; age = 12.2 +/- 0.5 years). Both groups conducted 3 regular soccer training sessions per week combined with either 2 SPT or UPT sessions. Assessment of jumping ability (countermovement jump [CMJ], and standing long jump [SLJ]), speed (10-m, 20-m, 30-m sprint), agility (Illinois agility test [IAT]), and balance (stable [SSBT], unstable [USBT] stork balance test; stable [SYBT], unstable [UYBT] Y balance test) was conducted pre-and post-training. An ANCO-VA model was used to test for between-group differences (SPT vs. UPT) at post-test using baseline values as covariates. No significant differences were found for CMJ height (p > 0.05, d = 0.54), SLJ (p > 0.05; d = 0.81), 10-m, 20-m, and 30-m sprint performances (p > 0.05, d = 0.00-0.24), IAT (p > 0.05, d = 0.48), and dynamic balance (SYBT and UYBT, both p > 0.05, d = 0.39, 0.08, respectively). Statistically significant between-group differences were detected for the USBT (p < 0.01, d = 1.86) and the SSBT (p < 0.01, d = 1.75) in favor of UPT. Following 8 weeks of SPT or UPT in prepuberal athletes, similar performance levels were observed in both groups for measures of jumping ability, speed, dynamic balance, and agility. However, if the goal is to additionally enhance static balance, UPT has an advantage over SPT.
KW  - youth
KW  - balance
KW  - jumping ability
KW  - athletic performance
KW  - football
Y1  - 2017
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-122337
SN  - 0172-4622
SN  - 1439-3964
VL  - 38
SP  - 370
EP  - 377
PB  - Thieme
CY  - Stuttgart
ER  -