The effect of plyometric training on jumping and agility parametres in wushu athletes

Aim: The purpose of this study is to see the effects of plyometric training on jumping and agility parametres in wushu athletes. Method: The sample group of this study consists of 5 female licensed wushu atletes and 15 male licensed wushu athletes aged between 18-21 in İlke Sports Club (Manisa). In order to see the effects of 8-weeks plyometric training, some tests as Illionis agility, Pro-agility, Y-planned agility, Y-reactive agility, standing broad jump, jump and reach, squat jump ( SJ), Countermovement jump (CMJ), Bosco 30 sec repetitive squat jump protocol were performed before and after the 8-weeks plyometric protocol as pre and post-tests. Agility tests were performed by Smartspeed Pro (Fusion Sports, Australia), jumping tests were performed by Smartjump (Fusion Sport, Australia), standing broad jump and jump-reach tests were performed manually. Before the tests, each participant was informed about the study and training protocol. Participants signed a volunteer form which shows their consent about taking part in this study. Necessary precautionary measures were taken during training protocol and tests. Results: Mean values of descriptive parametres of female participants (n:5) ; age 20,2±0,83 years, height 158,4±8,11 cm, body mass 52±3,56 kg, body mass index (BMI) 20,76±1,04 kg/m², sport experience 3,4±0,89 years. Mean values of descriptive parametres of male participants (n:15); age 19,46±1,45 years, height 175,06±5,79 cm, body mass 70,84±7,07 kg, BMI 23,11±2,06 kg/m², sport experience 4,13±1,30 years. Mean values of pre tests of female group: pro-agility 8,296±1,60 seconds (sec), Y-planned 3,159±0,20 sec, Y-reactive 3,328±0,19 sec, reactive index 0,303±0,11 sn, Illinois test 19,766±0,76 sec, standing broad jump 176,48±12,52 cm, jump and reach 26,62±2,52 cm, SJ 24,34±2,30 cm, SJ peak mechanical power 1694,19±166,33 W, CMJ 27,31±1,16 cm, CMJ peak mechanical power 1902,168±124,24 W, Bosco 30 sec test 16,4±1,14 W x kg-1 . Mean values of female group in post tests: pro-agility 7,486±1,26 sec, Y-planned 3,046±0,10 sec, Y-reactive 3,264±0,14 sec, reactive index 0,218±0,13 sec, Illinois test 19,042±0,90 sec, standing broad jump 185,80±9,60 cm, jump and reach test 29,86±2,46 cm, SJ 27,264±1,55 cm, SJ peak power 1870,2±115,66 W , CMJ 29,568±1,43 cm, CMJ peak power 2009,3±67,65 W, Bosco 30 sec test 18,22±1,89 W x kg-1 . Mean values of male group (n:15) in pre-tests: Pro-agility 5,58±0,70 sec, Y-planned 2,278±0,30 sec, Y-reactive 2,428±0,34 sec, reactive index 0,224±0,09 sec, Illinois test 16,272±0,78 sec, standing broad jump 221,05±22,12 cm, jump and reach 39,15±5,58 cm, SJ 31,608±6,68 cm, SJ peak power 3124,59±578,23 W, CMJ 34,352±5,91 cm, CMJ peak power 3371±526,30 W, Bosco 30 sec test 20,84±2,24 W x kg-1 . Mean values of male group in post tests: Pro-agility 5,157±0,75 sec, Y-planned 2,093±0,11 sec, Y-reactive 2,238±0,13 sec , reactive index 0,145±0,16 sec, Illinois test 15,737±0,72 sec, standing broad jump 234,70±18,31 cm, jump and reach 42,34±5,07 cm, SJ 34,029±6,25 cm, SJ peak power 3310,4±521,66 W, CMJ 37,427±5,47 cm, CMJ peak power 3564,7±486,98 W, Bosco 30 sec test 22,9±1,84 W x kg-1. Conclusion: There are significant differences between pre and post-test values of male group in jumping and agility tests (p<0.05) ; whereas no significant difference was found between pre and post test values of reactive index (p>0.05). No significant differences were found between pre-test and post-test values of Y-planned, Y-reactive, reactive index in female group ( p>0.05). Significant diffferences were found between pre and post tests values of Illinois agility, pro agility, and jumping tests in female group (p<0.05) . Pre-test values of male and female group were compared. Siginificant differences were found in favor of male group in jumping and agility tests (p<0.05). No significant difference was found between pre test values of reactive index between male and female group (p>0.05) . Significant difference were found in favor of male group when post test values of jumping, agility tests compared between female and male group (p<0.05). No significant difference was found between post test values of male and female group for reactive index (p>0.05). As a result eight weeks plyometric training improved jumping and agility performance in wushu athletes whereas it had no effect on reactive process in agility tests. Key words: wushu, plyometric, jumping, agility