Introduction: Plyometric training can enhance explosive contractions thus improving explosive movements, such as throwing and sprinting (Markovic et al., 2007). As sprinting is a key factor for success in rugby, the objective of this study was to determine whether an 8-week plyometric training program would enhance selected aspects of jump and linear sprint performance in adolescent elite rugby players. Methods: 16 german adolescent elite male rugby players (age, 15.7±0.7 y; height, 172±6 cm; body mass, 73.5±3.0 kg) were randomly assigned between a control (C, n=8) and an experimental group (E, n=8). Due to the off-season, C had no training at all and E solely performed plyometric training once a week (for 90 minutes over 8 weeks with stepwise increasing volumes - approx. 650 plyometric jumps per session). Before (baseline) and after 8 weeks (post), jump performance was checked via jump heights in the Counter-Movement-Jump (CMJ) and in the Squat-Jump (SJ) as well as via reactive strength index (flight-time x ground contact time-1) in the Drop-Jump (DJ-RI). Linear sprint performance was assessed via split-times required for 5m, 10m and 30m. Results: A two-way ANOVA with repeated measures revealed that after 8 weeks E significantly (p < 0.01) improved CMJ height (baseline: 44.0±5.8 cm; post: 49.9±5.3 cm), SJ height (baseline: 38.7±5.2 cm; post: 46.4±6.0 cm), DJ-RI (baseline: 2.60±0.41; post: 3.40±0.44) as well as all sprint sections (e.g. 30m, baseline: 4.38±0.24 sec; post: 4.12±0.24 sec). In contrast, compared to baseline, all jumps and sprint sections were impaired in C after 8 weeks, however not significantly. Compared to C, after 8 weeks E had significant higher CMJ and SJ heights (each p < 0.05), DJ-RI (p < 0.01) and an improved 0-5m sprint time (p < 0.05). Prior to the 8-week training regimen, no significant differences between C and E were detected across all tested parameters. Discussion: The main finding of this study was that an exclusive 8-week plyometric training program has the potential to markedly enhance jump and linear sprint performance in adolescent elite rugby players. We suggest that the gains in the linear sprint performance resulted from an enhanced jump performance due to an improved power development of the musculature involved in reactive jumping tasks.
© Copyright 2016 21st Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Vienna, 6. -9. July 2016. Veröffentlicht von University of Vienna. Alle Rechte vorbehalten. / Übersetzt mit https://www.DeepL.com/Translator