The effects plyometric training performed with additional weight football players on some physical and physiological features and chronic muscle damage

In this study conducted to investigate the effects of plyometric training performed with additional weight in football players on some physical and physiological features and chronic muscle damage; a total of 36 male football players, aged between 19-28 and playing football for at least 6 years, participated voluntarily. 12 football players formed the additional weight plyometry group, 12 football players the weightless plyometry group and 12 athletes were the control group. All the football players included in the study were subjected to a training program that included predetermined standard football techniques and tactics 6 days a week for a total of 36 week, including preparatory and intermediate camps. After the second week of the preparation period for the experimental groups, within the standard football training program to be applied as a team, the plyometric training program, which is applied with an additional weight 1% of the body weight (Additional Weight Group) and without additional weight (Weightless Group), per week for 8 weeks. It was designed to be 1 day and 20 minutes. Only the standard football technical training program was applied to the Control Group. Some physical and physiological measurements and technical tests for football skills were done 1 week before and 12 week after the training program and blood measurements were performed just before and after the first and last training. Statistical analyzes were performed in the SPSS 10.0 package program according to normality testing with t-test, ANOVA and multiple comparison tests. As a result of the training program, in the additional weight group, significant increases in shuttle, yoyo and horizontal jump values were detected, significant decreases were found in 10 meters speed, 20 meters speed, 30 meters speed, ball and left foot dribbling, Illionis Agility Test, body mass index and body fat percentage (p<0,05). In the weightless group, significant increases were found in shuttle, yoyo and vertical jump values, significant decreases were found in 30 meters speed, ball right foot dribbling, Illionis Agility Test and body fat percentage (p<0,05). In the intergroup comparison, additional weighted and weightless plyometric studies, it was noted that shuttle, yoyo, vertical jump, 10 meters speed, 30 meters speed, ball and right foot dribbling and ball and left foot dribbling improved more, while the low anaerobic average power value was significant (p<0,05). There was no significant difference between age, football age, height, weight, flexibility, anaerobic peak and average strength and lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase values before and after training (p<0,05). As a result, it can be said that plyometric training performed with additional weight in football players has positive effects on some physiological features and has no effects on physical properties and muscle damage. Keywords: Football, plyometric, additional weight, muscle damage.