Effects of 8 weeks plyometric training on various performance values in 12-14 years old football players

Objective: This study investigated the effects of plyometric training on various motor skills such as speed, quickness, vertical jump and agility in 12-14 year old male soccer players. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted using an experimental research design. The sample comprised male football players aged 12-14 residing in Diyarbakır. A total of 32 male athletes participated in the study, with 16 in the experimental group and 16 in the control group. The athletes in the experimental group underwent an additional 20 minutes of simplified plyometric training at the end of their routine training for a period of 8 weeks. Pre- and post-training measurements of speed, agility, quickness, and vertical jump were taken for both groups. Descriptive statistics for the data were obtained through frequency analysis, while independent sample t-tests were used to compare the means of the pre- and post-test measurements for each group. A statistical significance level of p<0.05 was accepted. Results: According to the results obtained from the study, a significant difference was found between the pre-test and post-test means of the experimental group in in-group comparisons according to the results of the vertical jump (p<0.03), agility (p<0.02) and 10-metre sprint test (p<0.02). There was a statistical difference between the two groups in the 20 metre sprint (p<0.01). Conclusion: In conclusion, simplified plyometric training in addition to routine training had an effect on speed, quickness, agility and vertical jump scores in 12-14 year old male soccer players.