title: The Effects of 8-Week Plyometric Training on Physical Performance in Young Tennis Players.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of an 8-week (conducted biweekly for a total of 16 sessions) plyometric training program (PT) (e.g., upper- and lower-body exercises) combined with regular tennis training on physical qualities in young tennis players.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty tennis players between the ages of 12 and 13 years (age 12.5 ± 0.3 years, weight 44.2 ± 7.0 kg, height 156.6 ± 7.1 cm) were allocated to either the control group (standard in-season regimen) (CG; n = 30) or the experimental group, which received an additional PT (TG; n = 30) for 30-60 min as a substitute for some tennis training within the usual 90-min practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pre- and posttests included: anthropometric measures; vertical countermovement jump (CMJ); standing long jump (SLJ); 20 m sprint time (with 5 and 10 m splits); a modified 505 agility test; overhead medicine ball throw; and serve velocity test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After the training intervention, the TG showed significant (p < .01) improvements in all the parameters analyzed, with percentages of change and effect sizes ranging from 3.1% to 10.1% and 0.4 (small) to 1.3 (moderate), respectively. No significant changes were observed in the CG after the training intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PT was shown as an important stimulus for enhancing explosive actions in young tennis players.
authors.affiliation: Sports Research Centre, Miguel Hernandez University, Elche, Spain.
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fernandez-Fernandez
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Saez de Villarreal
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sanz-Rivas
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moya
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D064797:Physical Conditioning, Human / Q000502:physiology*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D059385:Plyometric Exercise; D013715:Tennis / Q000502:physiology*