title: The effect of plyometric training on power and kicking distance in female adolescent soccer players.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to measure the effects of low-frequency, low-impact plyometric training on vertical jump (VJ) and kicking distance in female adolescent soccer players. Sixteen adolescent soccer players were studied (age 13.4 ± 0.5 years) across 14 weeks. The control group (general soccer training only) had 6 subjects, and the plyometric training (general soccer training plus plyometric exercise) group had 10 subjects. All subjects were tested for VJ and kicking distance on 3 occasions: pre-test, 7 weeks, and 14 weeks. Data were analyzed using a 2 (Training) × 3 (Test) analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures on the factor test. No significant difference in kicking distance was found between groups at pre-test (p = 0.688) or 7 weeks (p = 0.117). The plyometric group had significantly greater kicking distance after 14 weeks (p < 0.001). No significant difference in VJ height was found between groups at pre-test (p = 0.837) or 7 weeks (p = 0.108). The plyometric group had a significantly higher VJ after 14 weeks (p = 0.014). These results provide strength coaches with a safe and effective alternative to high-intensity plyometric training. Based on these findings, to increase lower-body power resulting in increased VJ and kicking distance, strength coaches should implement once-weekly, low-impact plyometric training programs with their adolescent athletes.
authors: Athletic Training Research Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. mack.rubley@unlv.edu
authors: Mack D
authors: MD
authors: Rubley
authors: Amaris C
authors: AC
authors: Haase
authors: William R
authors: WR
authors: Holcomb
authors: Tedd J
authors: TJ
authors: Girouard
authors: Richard D
authors: RD
authors: Tandy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D056352:Athletes; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000379:methods*; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*