The effects of plyometric training on anaerobic performance and maximal strength in elite mountain bikers

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of plyometric training on percentage of body fat (BF %), one repetition maximum (1 RM; kürek çekme, makine mekik, bacak açma, bacak bükme, calf raise, göğüsten itme, bacaktan itme), upper body maximum anaerobic power (UBMAP), peak power (PP), mean power (MP) and fatigue index (FI) in elite mountain bikers. Fourteen elite mountain bikers volunteered to participate in this study. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups [plyometric training group (PTG); n=7 and control group (CG); n=7]. PTG participated in a plyometric training program 2 times a week and bicycle training for 6 weeks and CG engaged in just bicycle training. Pre- and post-tests were taken same order in 5 days before and after 6 weeks of plyometric training (first day: height, BF and 1 RM; second day: rest; third day: UBMAP; fourth day: rest; fifth day: PP, MP and FI, respectively). The results showed that significant improvements were found in PTG for all measurements from pre- to post-training (p<0,05). However, no significant changes were found in CG for all measurements from pre- to post-training (p>0,05), except BF, UBMAP and FI (p<0,05). After 6 weeks plyometric training, significantly greater improvements were observed with regard to all variables of %, 1 RM, UBMAP, PP, MP and FI in PTG compared to CG, respectively. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that plyometric training is beneficial to increase important components of athletic performance in competition season. Therefore, upper and lower extremities plyometric exercises are recommended as part of an annual training program for elite mountain bikers. Anahtar Kelimeler: Gerilme-kısalma döngüsü, 1TM, anaerobik güç, dağ bisikleti