title: Effects of plyometric training on explosive strength, acceleration capacity and kicking speed in young elite soccer players.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The main aim of this study was to determine the effects of a 10-week plyometric training program on explosive strength, acceleration capacity and kicking speed in young elite soccer players.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-two players participated in the study: control group (CG), (N.=11; 18.2 ± 0.9 years) and treatment group (TG) (N.=11; 18.4 ± 1.1 years). Both groups performed technical and tactical training exercises and matches together. However, the CG players followed the regular physical conditioning program, which was replaced by a plyometric program for TG. Plyometric training took place three days a week and included jumps over hurdles, horizontal jumps and lateral jumps over hurdles. Jumping ability, 10 m sprint and kicking speed were measured on five separate occasions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures reflected that the TG demonstrated significant increases (P<0.05) in jumping ability and acceleration capacity after six weeks of training and in kicking speed with dominant and non-dominant leg after eight and ten weeks respectively. On the other hand there were no significant changes in CG players throughout the study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The main findings revealed that a 10-week plyometric program may be an effective training stimulus to improve explosive strength compared to a more conventional physical training program. The improvements in explosive strength can be transferred to acceleration capacity and kicking speed but players need time to transfer these increases.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sports Sciences, European University, Miguel de Cervantes, Valladolid, Spain. ssedano@uemc.es
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sedano
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Matheu
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Redondo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cuadrado
mesh_terms: D000054:Acceleration; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D006801:Humans; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult