Effect of Different Plyometric Training on Biomechanical Parameters of Junior Male Volleyball Players

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of eight weeks of aquatic and land plyometric training on some biomechanical variables including agility, leg muscle strength, and vertical jump test in young male volleyball players. Forty five young male volleyball players (Age=19.46±2.39 years, Standing height=190.76±3.78 cm, Body Mass=77.27±2.65 kg, Sport background=3.93±0.72 years) volunteered in this study and divided to three groups; aquatic plyometric group (APG), land plyometric group (LPG) and control group (CG). APG trained spike approach, one leg bounding, squat jump, depth jump and LPG trained ankle jumps, squat jumps, and depth jump 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Both groups trained pre season volleyball training as well as control group. Data were analyzed by one way analysis of variance and paired t-test. The results showed significant differences between the APG and LPG groups in all variables (P<0.05). Significant increases were observed in post training of APG in all variables and for LPG group in leg press and vertical jump records compare to pre training (P<0.05). There was a significant difference in relative improvement between the APG and CG in leg press, agility and vertical jump as well as significant differences between LPG and CG in leg press and vertical jump (P<0.05). It seems that plyometric training in water can be an effective technique to improve biomechanical variables in young athletes.