The effects of 8-week pliometric training on body composition and athletic performance in 17-18 age soccer

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of 8-week plyometric training on body composition and athletic performance in young male soccer players. 24 young male soccer players participated in the study voluntarily. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups: plyometric training group (P, n=12), control group (Kon, n=12). Plyometric training was applied to the P training group in addition to soccer training two days a week for 8 weeks. The control group, on the other hand, continued only soccer training. Measurements were made 8 weeks before and after. Body composition measurements were performed using a bioimpedance body analyzer. Vertical jump, horizontal jump, plyometric jump, speed and agility measurements were taken within the scope of athletic performance. Variables were analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk test to determine whether the distributions were normal in the pre- and post-tests. Wilcoxon paired-sample test was used to compare subjects' athletic performance and body composition before and after training programs. After eight weeks of plyometric training, a significant difference was determined in all athletic performance of the subjects in the plyometric training group. Although there are minimal quantitative changes in the control group athletes who only attend the soccer training, there is no significant difference in the jumping, speed and agility performances of the athletes. After eight weeks of training, the increase in the height of the subjects in the plyometric training group was determined to be significantly different. A significant difference was found in the parameters of height, fat mass and lean mass in the control group athletes who only attend the soccer training. Therefore, if it is desired to achieve a faster improvement in the determined athletic performance parameters in a period of eight weeks, preferably plyometric training is recommended in addition to branch training