The effect of unilateral plyometric training on dynamic balance and knee proprioception on primary school students

The aim of this study was to investigate whether unilateral plyometric training has an effect on dynamic balance ability and knee proprioception sensation, and if so, to what extent. Sixteen female volleyball players aged 12-14 years participa-ted in the study. These 16 athletes were randomly selected from primary school age individuals and divided into two groups, 8 in the experimental group and 8 in the control group. The experimental group underwent unilateral plyometric trai-ning programme for 8 weeks. The control group continued their normal volleyball training. Pre-test and post-test measurements were taken before and after the study. In the measurements, Y balance test was used for dynamic balance and knee proprioception was measured with a digital goniometer and knee joint 30°, 45° and 60° ex-tension measurements were taken. The data were analysed with SPSS 25 package programme. It was determined that the groups were normally distributed and Inde-pendent Samples T test was applied for 2 variables and One-Way Anova test was applied for more than two groups. When the findings were analysed, there was a statistically significant difference between the Y Ba-lance left pre/post test results in the experimental group (p<0.05). Y balance left post-test results are significantly higher. There is a statistically significant diffe-rence between the Y balance right pre/post test results (p<0,05). Y balance right post-test results are significantly higher. There is a statistically significant diffe-rence between the knee proprioception 45° pre/post test results (p<0,05). Knee proprioception 45° posttest results are significantly higher. There is no statisti-cally significant difference between the pre/post test levels of other variables (p>0,05). In conclusion, in the light of the findings obtained in the study, it was concluded that the unilateral plyometric training protocol was effective on dyna-mic balance and knee proprioception with the improvement of the dynamic ba-lance and knee proprioception measurement results in the post-tests. Keywords: plyometric training, proprioception, dynamic balance, unilateral.