Combined Plyometric and Short Sprint Training in U-15 Male Soccer Players: Effects on Measures of Jump, Speed, Change of Direction, Repeated Sprint, and Balance

This study examined the effect of 8 weeks of biweekly combined plyometric and short sprint training into the typical within-season training schedule of youth male soccer players. Participants were allocated at random to an experimental group (EG; n = 17, age: 14.6 ± 0.5 years, body mass: 60.5 ± 7.1 kg, height: 1.64 ± 0.08 m, body fat: 11.3 ± 1.4%) and a control group (CG; n = 17, age: 14.6 ± 0.4 years, body mass: 61.0 ± 3.9 kg, height: 1.67 ± 0.05 m, body fat: 11.8 ± 1.4%). Measures obtained pre- and post-intervention included vertical and horizontal jump performances (i.e., squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump with aimed arms (CMJA), and five-jump test (FJT)) and sprint performances (i.e., 10 and 30 m sprint). In addition, change-of-direction ability (sprint with 90° Turns (S90°) and sprint 9–3–6–3–9 m with backward and forward running (SBF)), repeated shuttle sprint ability (RSSA), and dynamic balance performance (Y balance test) were measured pre- and post-intervention. The EG experienced higher jump (all p < 0.05; d ≥ 0.71), sprint (all p < 0.05; d ≥ 0.64), change-of-direction ability (all p < 0.05; d ≥ 0.66), RSSA (all parameters except the fatigue index p < 0.01; d ≥ 0.71), and dynamic balance (all p ≤ 0.05; d ≥ 0.50) improvement compared to the CG. Adding biweekly combined plyometric and short sprint training to standard training improves the athletic performance of youth male soccer players (under 15 (U15)).

[1]  El Ghali Bouhafs,et al.  An 8-Week Program of Plyometrics and Sprints with Changes of Direction Improved Anaerobic Fitness in Young Male Soccer Players , 2021, International journal of environmental research and public health.

[2]  Yan Huang,et al.  The Effect of 6-Week Combined Balance and Plyometric Training on Change of Direction Performance of Elite Badminton Players , 2021, Frontiers in Psychology.

[3]  F. García-Pinillos,et al.  Effects of jump training on physical fitness and athletic performance in endurance runners: A meta-analysis , 2021, Journal of sports sciences.

[4]  F. Fernández,et al.  Effects of combined plyometric and sled training on vertical jump and linear speed performance ​​in young soccer players (Efectos de la combinación de entrenamiento pliométrico y de arrastres sobre el rendimiento en salto vertical y la velocidad lineal e , 2021 .

[5]  R. Ramírez-Campillo,et al.  Plyometric jump training effects on the physical fitness of individual-sport athletes: a systematic review with meta-analysis , 2021, PeerJ.

[6]  R. Ramírez-Campillo,et al.  Effects of Plyometric Jump Training on Physical Fitness in Amateur and Professional Volleyball: A Meta-Analysis , 2021, Frontiers in Physiology.

[7]  H. Chaabene,et al.  Short-Term Plyometric Jump Training Improves Repeated-Sprint Ability in Prepuberal Male Soccer Players. , 2020, Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.

[8]  M. Chelly,et al.  Effects of Unloaded vs. Ankle-Loaded Plyometric Training on the Physical Fitness of U-17 Male Soccer Players , 2020, International journal of environmental research and public health.

[9]  S. Sitko,et al.  Effects of a low-carbohydrate diet on body composition and performance in road cycling: a randomized, controlled trial. , 2020, Nutricion hospitalaria.

[10]  R. Ramírez-Campillo,et al.  Effects of Plyometric Jump Training on Jump and Sprint Performance in Young Male Soccer Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis , 2020, Sports Medicine.

[11]  M. Chelly,et al.  Effects of combined balance and plyometric training on athletic performance in female basketball players. , 2020, Journal of strength and conditioning research.

[12]  Alireza Rabbani,et al.  Effects of combined plyometric and speed training on change of direction, linear speed, and repeated sprint ability in young soccer players , 2020, Kinesiology.

[13]  R. Ramírez-Campillo,et al.  Effects of plyometric jump training in female soccer player’s vertical jump height: A systematic review with meta-analysis , 2020, Journal of sports sciences.

[14]  M. Vukovich,et al.  Combined Sprint Interval, Plyometric, and Strength Training in Adolescent Soccer Players: Effects on Measures of Speed, Strength, Power, Change of Direction, and Anaerobic Capacity. , 2020, Journal of strength and conditioning research.

[15]  David G. Behm,et al.  Combined Resistance and Plyometric Training Is More Effective Than Plyometric Training Alone for Improving Physical Fitness of Pubertal Soccer Players , 2019, Front. Physiol..

[16]  S. Cataldi,et al.  A combined plyometric and resistance training program improves fitness performance in 12 to 14-years-old boys , 2019, Sport Sciences for Health.

[17]  R. Ramírez-Campillo,et al.  Effects of plyometric jump training on the physical fitness of young male soccer players: Modulation of response by inter-set recovery interval and maturation status , 2019, Journal of sports sciences.

[18]  Richard A. Levine,et al.  Coup de Grâce for a Tough Old Bull: “Statistically Significant” Expires , 2019, The American Statistician.

[19]  M. Chelly,et al.  Effects of Combined Plyometric and Short Sprint With Change-of-Direction Training on Athletic Performance of Male U15 Handball Players , 2019, Journal of strength and conditioning research.

[20]  T. Metaxas,et al.  Effects of Plyometric and Directional Training on Physical Fitness Parameters in Youth Soccer Players. , 2019, International journal of sports physiology and performance.

[21]  I. Moore,et al.  External Cueing Influences Drop Jump Performance in Trained Young Soccer Players , 2019, Journal of strength and conditioning research.

[22]  David G. Behm,et al.  Combination of Agility and Plyometric Training Provides Similar Training Benefits as Combined Balance and Plyometric Training in Young Soccer Players , 2018, Front. Physiol..

[23]  R. Ramírez-Campillo,et al.  Effects of Plyometric Training on Explosive and Endurance Performance at Sea Level and at High Altitude , 2018, Front. Physiol..

[24]  F. García-Pinillos,et al.  Optimal Reactive Strength Index: Is It an Accurate Variable to Optimize Plyometric Training Effects on Measures of Physical Fitness in Young Soccer Players? , 2018, Journal of strength and conditioning research.

[25]  F. Nakamura,et al.  Specific Changes in Young Soccer Player's Fitness After Traditional Bilateral vs. Unilateral Combined Strength and Plyometric Training , 2018, Front. Physiol..

[26]  Zachary K Winkelmann,et al.  Proprioceptive Training for the Prevention of Ankle Sprains: An Evidence-Based Review. , 2017, Journal of athletic training.

[27]  B. Drust,et al.  Effects of Plyometric and Directional Training on Speed and Jump Performance in Elite Youth Soccer Players , 2017, Journal of strength and conditioning research.

[28]  H. Chaabene,et al.  Effects of High-Velocity Resistance Training on Athletic Performance in Prepuberal Male Soccer Athletes , 2016, Journal of strength and conditioning research.

[29]  Hassan A. Almoslim Effect of Combined Plyometric-Sprint and Combined Plyometric-Resistance Training Protocols on Speed, Explosive Power and Change of Direction , 2016 .

[30]  J. Santos-Concejero,et al.  Effects of Strength Training on Running Economy in Highly Trained Runners: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis of Controlled Trials , 2016, Journal of strength and conditioning research.

[31]  N. Zhang,et al.  Effects of plyometric training on soccer players , 2016, Experimental and therapeutic medicine.

[32]  R. Lopez,et al.  Plyometric Training Effects on Athletic Performance in Youth Soccer Athletes: A Systematic Review , 2015, Journal of strength and conditioning research.

[33]  G. Haff,et al.  Effects of Plyometric and Sprint Training on Physical and Technical Skill Performance in Adolescent Soccer Players , 2015, Journal of strength and conditioning research.

[34]  E. Müller,et al.  The Effect of 16-Week Plyometric Training on Explosive Actions in Early to Mid-Puberty Elite Soccer Players , 2014, Journal of strength and conditioning research.

[35]  P. Bradley,et al.  The Evolution of Physical and Technical Performance Parameters in the English Premier League , 2014, International Journal of Sports Medicine.

[36]  Espen Tønnessen,et al.  The role and development of sprinting speed in soccer. , 2014, International journal of sports physiology and performance.

[37]  David G. Behm,et al.  The Combination of Plyometric and Balance Training Improves Sprint and Shuttle Run Performances More Often Than Plyometric-Only Training With Children , 2014, Journal of strength and conditioning research.

[38]  Marcin Andrzejewski,et al.  Analysis of Sprinting Activities of Professional Soccer Players , 2013, Journal of strength and conditioning research.

[39]  Wolfgang Taube,et al.  How Neurons Make Us Jump: The Neural Control of Stretch-Shortening Cycle Movements , 2012, Exercise and sport sciences reviews.

[40]  O. Girard,et al.  Repeated-Sprint Ability — Part I , 2011, Sports medicine.

[41]  G. Marković,et al.  Neuro-Musculoskeletal and Performance Adaptations to Lower-Extremity Plyometric Training , 2010, Sports medicine.

[42]  D. Hamar,et al.  The effect of 6-week combined agility-balance training on neuromuscular performance in basketball players. , 2010, The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness.

[43]  D. Bishop,et al.  Relationship Between Different Measures of Aerobic Fitness and Repeated-Sprint Ability in Elite Soccer Players , 2010, Journal of strength and conditioning research.

[44]  K. Pfeifer,et al.  Balance training for neuromuscular control and performance enhancement: a systematic review. , 2010, Journal of athletic training.

[45]  G. Sporiš,et al.  Reliability and Factorial Validity of Agility Tests for Soccer Players , 2010, Journal of strength and conditioning research.

[46]  K. Pfeifer,et al.  Neuromuscular training for sports injury prevention: a systematic review. , 2010, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[47]  William J Kraemer,et al.  Determining Variables of Plyometric Training for Improving Vertical Jump Height Performance: A Meta-Analysis , 2009, Journal of strength and conditioning research.

[48]  K. Thomas,et al.  The Effect of Two Plyometric Training Techniques on Muscular Power and Agility in Youth Soccer Players , 2009, Journal of strength and conditioning research.

[49]  C. Castagna,et al.  Variation in top level soccer match performance. , 2007, International journal of sports medicine.

[50]  Jonathan Bloomfield,et al.  Physical Demands of Different Positions in FA Premier League Soccer. , 2007, Journal of sports science & medicine.

[51]  J. Sheppard,et al.  Agility literature review: Classifications, training and testing , 2006, Journal of sports sciences.

[52]  C Castagna,et al.  Strong correlation of maximal squat strength with sprint performance and vertical jump height in elite soccer players , 2004, British Journal of Sports Medicine.

[53]  D. Bishop,et al.  Determinants of repeated-sprint ability in well-trained team-sport athletes and endurance-trained athletes. , 2004, The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness.

[54]  Nicole J Chimera,et al.  Effects of Plyometric Training on Muscle-Activation Strategies and Performance in Female Athletes. , 2004, Journal of athletic training.

[55]  P. Krustrup,et al.  Match performance of high-standard soccer players with special reference to development of fatigue , 2003, Journal of sports sciences.

[56]  Nicola A. Maffiuletti,et al.  Effect of combined electrostimulation and plyometric training on vertical jump height. , 2002, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[57]  D G Lloyd,et al.  Rationale for training programs to reduce anterior cruciate ligament injuries in Australian football. , 2001, The Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy.

[58]  A. Williams,et al.  A multidisciplinary approach to talent identification in soccer , 2000, Journal of sports sciences.

[59]  T. Reilly,et al.  Anthropometric and physiological predispositions for elite soccer , 2000, Journal of sports sciences.

[60]  Paavo V. Komi,et al.  Stretch Reflexes Can Have an Important Role in Force Enhancement during SSC Exercise , 1997 .

[61]  W. Vincent Statistics In Kinesiology , 1994 .

[62]  M. Duda Plyometrics: A Legitimate Form of Power Training? , 1988, The Physician and sportsmedicine.

[63]  Jacob Cohen Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences , 1969, The SAGE Encyclopedia of Research Design.

[64]  Crouch Kneel Physical Demands , 2020, Encyclopedia of Wildfires and Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fires.

[65]  M. Ritter,et al.  Effects of Low - , 2017 .

[66]  C. Castagna,et al.  Physiology of Soccer , 2005, Sports medicine.

[67]  D. Bishop,et al.  Physiological and Metabolic Responses of Repeated-Sprint Activities , 2005, Sports medicine.

[68]  W G Hopkins,et al.  Reproducibility of self-paced treadmill performance of trained endurance runners. , 1998, International journal of sports medicine.