The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a six-week combined jump and sprint training program on strength-speed abilities in a large sample of youth competitive soccer players. It was hypothesized that the experimental training group would enhance their jumping and sprinting abilities. Enhancement of kicking performance was also hypothesized due to an expected increase in explosive st...

This study compared the acute effect of strength, plyometric, and complex exercises (combined strength and plyometric exercise) in the countermovement jump (CMJ) and frequency speed of kick test (FSKT) and attempted to establish the best rest interval to maximize performance in the CMJ, number of kicks, and impact generated during FSKT. Eleven taekwondo athletes (mean ± SD; age: 20.3 ± 5.2 year...

The purpose of the present study was to elucidate how plyometric training improves stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) exercise performance in terms of muscle strength, tendon stiffness, and muscle-tendon behavior during SSC exercise. Eleven men were assigned to a training group and ten to a control group. Subjects in the training group performed depth jumps (DJ) using only the ankle joint for 12 we...

BACKGROUND Hamstring injuries are the most common muscle injury in amateur and professional soccer. Most hamstring injuries occur in the late swing phase, when the hamstring undergoes a stretch-shortening cycle and the hamstring does a significant amount of eccentric work. The incidence of these injuries has not decreased despite there being effective injury prevention programmes focusing on im...

[Purpose] To examine how stretching, plyometric, and treadmill exercises influence the dynamic balance necessary for sports activities. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-two healthy subjects participated in this study. The subjects conducted stretching, plyometric exercises, and treadmill walking for set times over a period of three days. The subjects' dynamic balance was then measured. The measure...

Specificity of training is considered to be a fundamental component of any detailed goal oriented conditioning program. Whether one is training to improve functional ability, rehabilitate a musculoskeletal injury, or develop sport specific physiological attributes, the specific nature of the prescribed training regimen, and the exercises contained within, will dictate the magnitude of the adapt...

This study tested the hypothesis that transdermal fluid (TDF) provides a more sensitive and accurate measure of exercise-induced increases in insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) than serum, and that these increases are detectable proximal, but not distal, to the exercising muscle. A novel, noninvasive methodology was used to collect TDF, followed by sampling of total IGF-I (tIGF-I) and free IG...

Plyometric training (PT) enhances soccer performance, particularly vertical jump. However, the effectiveness of PT depends on various factors. A systematic search of the research literature was conducted for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) studying the effects of PT on countermovement jump (CMJ) height in soccer players. Ten studies were obtained through manual and electronic journal search...

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to analyse changes taking place within selected kinematic parameters of the swimming start, after completing a six-week plyometric training, assuming that the take-off power training improves its effectiveness. METHODS The experiment included nine male swimmers. In the pre-test the swimmers performed three starts focusing on the best performance. Next, a plyo...