Effects of Unloaded vs. Ankle-Loaded Plyometric Training on the Physical Fitness of U-17 Male Soccer Players

Mehrez Hammami, Nawel Gaamouri, Katsuhiko Suzuki, Ridha Aouadi, Roy J. Shephard and Mohamed Souhaiel Chelly
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Mehrez Hammami: Research Unit (UR17JS01) «Sport Performance, Health & Society», Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Ksar Saîd, University of “La Manouba”, 2010 Tunis, Tunisia
Nawel Gaamouri: Research Unit (UR17JS01) «Sport Performance, Health & Society», Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Ksar Saîd, University of “La Manouba”, 2010 Tunis, Tunisia
Katsuhiko Suzuki: Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, Tokorozawa 359-1192, Japan
Ridha Aouadi: Research Unit (UR17JS01) «Sport Performance, Health & Society», Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Ksar Saîd, University of “La Manouba”, 2010 Tunis, Tunisia
Roy J. Shephard: Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S, Canada
Mohamed Souhaiel Chelly: Research Unit (UR17JS01) «Sport Performance, Health & Society», Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Ksar Saîd, University of “La Manouba”, 2010 Tunis, Tunisia

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 21, 1-18

Abstract: The aim of this study was to compare the impact of two differing plyometric training programs (loaded plyometrics (with 2.5% of body mass placed above the ankle joint) vs. unloaded plyometrics), performed biweekly for 10 weeks, on the physical fitness of elite junior male soccer players. Participants aged 16.0 ± 0.5 years were randomly assigned between unloaded plyometrics (UP; n = 12), loaded plyometrics (LP; n = 14) and control (C; n = 12) groups. Two-way analyses of performance (group x time) were assessed by 40-m sprint times; 9–3–6–3–9 m sprints with 180° turns (S180°); 9–3–6–3–9 m sprints with backward and forward running (SBF); and 4 × 5 m sprints (S4 × 5 m); four jump tests; measures of static and dynamic balance; repeated change of direction tests and the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test. Both LP and UP enhanced sprinting performance relative to C ( p < 0.05) but performance increased more in LP relative to UP ( p < 0.05) in all sprints except 40 m. Change of direction times were also significantly shortened by LP relative to UP ( p < 0.05) and C ( p < 0.01) in all tests, with no significant differences between UP and C. Jumps heights increased similarly in both LP and UP relative to C ( p < 0.05), with no significance between LP and UP. LP and UP also enhanced repeated change of direction scores relative to C ( p < 0.01) with greater changes in LP than in UP ( p < 0.01). Finally, LP enhanced some balance scores relative to UP ( p < 0.05) and C ( p < 0.05). We conclude that the introduction of 10 weeks of in-season loaded plyometrics into the regimen of U17 male soccer players yields gains in several physical performance scores relative to either unloaded plyometrics or the control training regimen.

Keywords: stretch-shortening cycle; additional weight; ability-to-change-direction; speed; balance; repeated change of direction (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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