The effect of plyometric training on the performance of power, agility, jump and sprint of amateur volleyball players

Abstract

Introduction: Today, volleyball is more developed in terms of speed and power.Volleyball is a team game, in which muscle work is characterized by speed, power and precise coordination(1).Volleyball is a dynamic and fast game in which a player's use of explosive power in vertical, horizontal and lateral movements is very important.The relationship between explosive power and the technical and tactical level of the player is especially evident when observing the player's activities on the net such as spikes and jump service.The goal of strength training for volleyball is not to build big muscles, but to build the physical features needed to improve a player's performance(2). One of the most widely used training methods in volleyball is plyometric training.Research shows that when these exercises are used in a periodic manner, they can improve vertical jump performance, acceleration, leg strength, muscle strength, joint awareness and perception, awareness of body position in space and speed..

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of plyometric training on agility, jumping, 30 m speed and lower limb strength of amateur male volleyball players.

Methods: The present study is a quasi-experimental method with pre-test and post-test. 16 volleyball players participated in this study voluntarily. Players were randomly divided into two groups of volleyball training (VTG = 7) and plyometric training (PTG = 9). The first group practiced volleyball and the second group, in addition to volleyball exercises, performed plyometric exercises for 5 weeks, 3 sessions per week for 40 minutes, which included 8 exercises in 2-3 sets, 15-20 repetitions. And there was a 60-90 second break between sets. Wingate anaerobic power tests, Sargent jump, 1rm Scott, t-agility and 30 m speed tests were applied to the groups at the beginning and end of the five-week period. The results of statistical research were performed by one-way analysis of variance with a significant level (p = <0.05).

 Results: The results of the present study showed that there was a significant difference between the two groups only in lower trunk strength (p = <0.034). But in other variables of agility (p => 0.907), speed of 30 meters (p => 0.070), sergeant jump (p => 0.423) and anaerobic power of Wingite test (p => 0.764) the difference There was no significance between the two groups.

 Discussion: Findings of the present study show that performing 5 weeks of plyometric exercises develops muscle strength, agility, jumping, anaerobic power and speed in volleyball players. This is due to the process of stretch-shortening cycle in plyometrics, which increases the output power, coordination and performance performance in athletes.