title: Comparison of land- and aquatic-based plyometric training on vertical jump performance.
abstract: Plyometric training is a popular method by which athletes may increase power and explosiveness. However, plyometric training is considered a highly intense and potentially damaging activity particularly if practiced by the novice individual or if overdone. The purpose of this study was to compare vertical jump performance after land- and aquatic-based plyometric training. A convenience sample of 21 active, college-age (24 +/- 2.5 years) men were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: group I, aquatic; group II, land; and group III, control. Training for the AQ and LN groups consisted of a 10-minute warm-up followed by 3 sets of 15 squat jumps, side hops, and knee-tuck jumps separated by 1-minute rests. The aquatic group performed the exercises in knee-level water adjusted to parallel the axis of the knee joint (+1 in.). The land group performed identical plyometric exercises on land. The control group engaged in no training. Participants trained twice a week for 6 weeks, and all training sessions were monitored. Pre- and post-test data were collected on maximum vertical jump height. A 2x3 analysis of variance with repeated measures was used to compare vertical jump height among the 3 groups. Results suggested that the aquatic- and land-based groups significantly (p < 0.05) outperformed the control group in the vertical jump. No significant difference was found in vertical jump performance between the aquatic- and land-based groups. It was concluded that aquatic training resulted in similar training effects as land-based training, with a possible reduction in stress due to the reduction of impact afforded by the buoyancy and resistance of the water upon landing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Athletics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma 47078, USA.
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Stemm
authors.forename: Bert H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Jacobson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D014867:Water