The effect of 8 weeks of pliometri̇k studies applied to kick boxing athletes on balance, reaction time and agility

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of plyometric training for 8 weeks on balance, reaction time and agility in licensed male kickboxing athletes aged 10-13 years. In the study, 32 licensed male athletes from Pendik Prestij Sports Defense Sports Club, which operates in Pendik district of Istanbul province, participated voluntarily. The athletes were divided into 2 groups as study and control group by random distribution method. The study group was given 30 minutes of plyometric training before kickboxing training for 60 minutes 3 days a week. The control group only had kickboxing training for 60 minutes 3 days a week. The control group did not have any other application. Balance, reaction time and agility tests were applied to both groups as pre-test and post-test. The analysis of the data was done in SPSS 25 Package program. Skewness-Kurtosis, histogram and q-q plot values were analyzed to find out whether the data were normally distributed. Paired sample t-test was performed within the control and study groups for pretest-posttest differences. Independent Sample T test was performed for differences between groups. The significance value was initially accepted as p<0.05. As a result of the analysis, it was determined that 8-week plyometric exercises applied to the athletes in the study group had a positive effect on reaction time, balance and agility values. Reaction time and agility values of the athletes in the control group were also found to be better in the post-tests compared to the pre-tests. When the post-test differences between the two groups were analyzed, it was determined that the study group had statistically more significant and better results in reaction time and agility values than the control group. For this reason, it can be said that it may be useful for coaches to add plyometric exercises to the training programs in addition to the training programs of male kickboxing athletes between the ages of 10-13. In addition, those who will conduct new studies in this field may be recommended to perform measurement tests including hand-eye-foot triple coordination. Keywords: Agility, Balance, Kickboxing, Pliometriks, Reaction time.