The effect of two plyometric training techniques on muscular power and agility in youth soccer players

Kevin Thomas, Duncan French, Phil Hayes

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

261 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of two plyometric training techniques on power and agility in youth soccer players. Twelve males from a semiprofessional football club's academy (age = 17.3 ± 0.4 years, stature = 177.9 ± 5.1 cm, mass = 68.7 ± 5.6 kg) were randomly assigned to 6 weeks of depth jump (DJ) or countermovement jump (CMJ) training twice weekly. Participants in the DJ group performed drop jumps with instructions to minimize ground-contact time while maximizing height. Participants in the CMJ group performed jumps from a standing start position with instructions to gain maximum jump height. Posttraining, both groups experienced improvements in vertical jump height (p <0.05) and agility time (p <0.05) and no change in sprint performance (p > 0.05). There were no differences between the treatment groups (p > 0.05). The study concludes that both DJ and CMJ plyometrics are worthwhile training activities for improving power and agility in youth soccer players.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)332-335
JournalJournal of Strength and Conditioning Research
Volume23
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2009

Keywords

  • soccer players
  • muscle strength
  • physical fitness
  • motor ability

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