The effect of six-weekly plyometric exercises on jumping, sprinting, throwing and dynamic balance capacities on women volleyball players

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of six-week plyometri exercises on running, jumping, throwing and dynamic balance capacities in female volleyball players. Thirty female volleyball players were included in the study. The subjects were divided into two groups as the study group (n=15) with a mean age of 16.53±1.45 years and the control group (n=15) with a mean age of 16.33±1.49 years. The athletes in the first group were taken to the Plyometric exercise training program (2 days/week) in addition to the classical training programs. The second group participated the classical training program for six weeks. Both groups were evaluated with the same methods before and after a six-week pliometric exercise training program. The subjects were assesed by physical measurement, vertical jump test, 20 m sprinting test, Y balance test and ball throw test. There was a statistically significant difference in right anterior and posteromedial and left anterior, posteromedial and posterolateral values of Y balance test , vertical balance and ball throwing values before and after training in the study group in which pliometric exercise program was given (p <0.05). There was no significant difference at 20 m sprinting and right posterolateral value of Y balance test (p> 0.05). According to the evaluation results between groups; While vertical jump and ball throwing difference values increased (p <0,05), no significant difference was found in the Y balance test left anterior, posteromedial and posterolateral differences and 20 m sprinting test (p> 0.05). As a result, it is considered that plyometric training program could be especially useful to include professional athletes's in training programs since plyometric exercise training combine with training program leads the significant improvements in vertical jump, the ball throwing and balance parameters. Key Words: Plyometric exercise, Volleyball, Women Player