Effects of plyometric and combined resistance-plyometric training on agility and vertical jump performance in youth basketball players
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55040/m60ya013Keywords:
reactive strength index, stretch-shortening cycle, change of direction, neuromuscular adaptation, youth athletesAbstract
This study compared the effects of plyometric training and combined strength training on vertical jump performance, agility, and reactive strength in competitive youth basketball players. A parallel-group randomized controlled trial involved 30 male athletes (15–17 years) assigned to either a plyometric group (PLYO, n = 15) or a combined strength group (COMB, n = 15). Performance was assessed using countermovement jump (CMJ), T-test agility, and reactive strength index (RSI) before and after the intervention. Significant improvements over time were observed across all variables (p < 0.001), with no baseline differences between groups (p > 0.05). However, significant group × time interactions were found for CMJ (F = 8.92, p = 0.006), agility (F = 10.37, p = 0.003), and RSI (F = 12.45, p = 0.002), indicating greater gains in the COMB group. Specifically, CMJ improved by 7.21 cm vs. 4.45 cm, agility by −0.86 s vs. −0.47 s, and RSI by 0.49 vs. 0.26 in COMB and PLYO, respectively. These findings suggest that combined strength training elicits superior neuromuscular adaptations, likely due to enhanced force production and stretch–shortening cycle efficiency.
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