title: Effects of In-Season Short-term Plyometric Training Program on Sprint and Jump Performance of Young Male Track Athletes.
abstract: We studied the effect of supplementing normal in-season training by a 10-week lower limb plyometric training program (hurdle and depth jumping), examining measures of competitive potential (peak power output [PP], sprint running velocity, squat jump [SJ], countermovement jump [CMJ], drop jump [DJ], and lower limb muscle volume). The subjects (27 male track athletes, aged 11.9 ± 1.0 years; body mass: 39.1 ± 6.1 kg; height: 1.56 ± 0.02 m; body fat: 12.8 ± 4.4%) were randomly assigned between a control (normal training) group (C; n = 13) and an experimental group (E; n = 14) who also performed plyometric training 3 times per week. A force-velocity ergometer test determined PP and SJ, and an Optojump apparatus evaluated CMJ height and DJ (height and power). A multiple-5-bound test assessed horizontal jumping, and video-camera analyses over a 40-m sprint yielded velocities for the first step (VS), the first 5 m (V5m), and between 35 and 40 m (Vmax). Leg muscle volume was estimated anthropometrically. Experimental group showed gains relative to C in SJ height (p < 0.001); CMJ height (p < 0.01); DJ height and power relative to body mass (p < 0.01 for both); and all sprint velocities (p < 0.01 for VS and V(5m, p) ≤ 0.05 for Vmax). There was also a significant increase (p < 0.01) in thigh muscle volume, but leg muscle volume, thigh cross-sectional area, and PP remained unchanged. We conclude that adding plyometric training improved important components of athletic performance relative to standard in-season training in young runners.
authors: 1Research Unit, Sport Performance & Health, High Institute of Sport and Physical Education, Ksar Saîd, University of "La Manouba," Tunis, Tunisia; 2Department of Biological Sciences Applied to Physical Activities and Sport, High Institute of Sport and Physical Education, Ksar Said, University of "La Manouba," Tunis, Tunisia; and 3Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Mohamed Souhaiel
authors: MS
authors: Chelly
authors: Souhail
authors: S
authors: Hermassi
authors: Roy J
authors: RJ
authors: Shephard
mesh_terms: D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D059385:Plyometric Exercise; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D013848:Thigh; D014142:Track and Field / Q000502:physiology*