A 16-week rugby training program improves power and change of direction speed in talented girls

Background: Change-of-direction (CoD) is a necessary physical ability of a field sport and may vary in youth players according to their maturation status.Objectives: The aim of this study is: to compare the effectiveness of a 6-week CoD training intervention on dynamic balance (CS-YBT), horizontal jump (5JT), speed (10 and 30-m linear sprint times), CoD with (15 m-CoD + B) and without (15 m-CoD) the ball, in youth male soccer players at different levels of maturity [pre- and post-peak height velocity (PHV)].Materials and Methods: Thirty elite male youth soccer players aged 10–17 years from the Tunisian first division participated in this study. The players were divided into pre- (G1, n = 15) and post-PHV (G2, n = 15) groups. Both groups completed a similar 6-week training program with two sessions per week of four CoD exercises. All players completed the following tests before and after intervention: CS-YBT; 5 JT; 10, 30, and 15 m-CoD; and 15 m-CoD + B, and data were analyzed using ANCOVA.Results: All 30 players completed the study according to the study design and methodology. Adherence rate was 100% across all groups, and no training or test-related injuries were reported. Pre-PHV and post-PHV groups showed significant amelioration post-intervention for all dependent variables (after test > before test; p < 0.01, d = 0.09–1.51). ANOVA revealed a significant group × time interaction only for CS-YBT (F = 4.45; p < 0.04; η2 = 0.14), 5JT (F = 6.39; p < 0.02; η2 = 0.18), and 15 m-CoD (F = 7.88; p < 0.01; η2 = 0.22). CS-YBT, 5JT, and 15 m-CoD improved significantly in the post-PHV group (+ 4.56%, effect size = 1.51; + 4.51%, effect size = 1.05; and -3.08%, effect size = 0.51, respectively), more than the pre-PHV group (+ 2.77%, effect size = 0.85; + 2.91%, effect size = 0.54; and -1.56%, effect size = 0.20, respectively).Conclusion: The CoD training program improved balance, horizontal jump, and CoD without the ball in male preadolescent and adolescent soccer players, and this improvement was greater in the post-PHV players. The maturity status of the athletes should be considered when programming CoD training for soccer players.

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Effects of a Combined Upper- and Lower-Limb Plyometric Training Program on High-Intensity Actions in Female U14 Handball Players

Pediatric Exercise Science ◽

10.1123/pes.2018-0278 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 31 (4) ◽

pp. 465-472 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mehrez Hammami ◽

Rodrigo Ramirez-Campillo ◽

Nawel Gaamouri ◽

Gaith Aloui ◽

Roy J. Shephard ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Training Program ◽

Lower Limb ◽

Upper Body ◽

Plyometric Training ◽

Countermovement Jump ◽

Change Of Direction ◽

Jump Test ◽

Body Strength ◽

Improved Performance ◽

Experimental Group

Purpose: To analyze the effects of a 9-week plyometric training program on the sprint times (5, 10, 20, and 30 m), change-of-direction speed (modified T test and modified Illinois test), jumping (squat jump, countermovement jump, countermovement jump with arms, and horizontal 5-jump test), upper-body strength (right and left handgrip, back extensor strength, and medicine ball throw), and balance (Y and stork balance tests) of female handball players. Methods: Athletes were randomly divided into experimental (n = 21; age = 13.5 [0.3] y) and control (n = 20; age = 13.3 [0.3] y) groups. Training exercises and matches were performed together, but the experimental group replaced a part of their normal regimen by biweekly upper- and lower-limb plyometric training. Results: Both groups improved performance, but to a greater extent in the experimental group compared with controls for 20- and 30-m sprint times (Δ% = 9.6, P < .05, d = 0.557 and Δ% = 20.9, P < .001, d = 1.07, respectively), change of direction (T test: P < .01, Δ% = 14.5, d = 0.993 and Illinois test: P < .01, Δ% = 7.9, d = 0.769), vertical and horizontal jumping (P < .05), all measures of upper-limb strength (P < .001), and left-leg stork balance (P < .001, Δ% = 49.9, d = 1.07). Conclusions: A plyometric training program allows female junior handball players to improve important components of their physical performance.

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Effects of an 8-Week In-Season Elastic Band Training Program on Explosive Muscle Performance, Change of Direction, and Repeated Changes of Direction in the Lower Limbs of Junior Male Handball Players

The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research ◽

10.1519/jsc.0000000000002786 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 33 (7) ◽

pp. 1804-1815 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Ghaith Aloui ◽

Mehrez Hammami ◽

Mourad Fathloun ◽

Souhail Hermassi ◽

Nawel Gaamouri ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Training Program ◽

Lower Limbs ◽

Muscle Performance ◽

Elastic Band ◽

Change Of Direction ◽

Performance Change

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The Effects of Frontal- and Sagittal-Plane Plyometrics on Change-of-Direction Speed and Power in Adolescent Female Basketball Players

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance ◽

10.1123/ijspp.2015-0058 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 102-107 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Brian T. McCormick ◽

James C. Hannon ◽

Maria Newton ◽

Barry Shultz ◽

Nicole Detling ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Training Program ◽

Interaction Effect ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Sagittal Plane ◽

Plyometric Training ◽

Basketball Players ◽

Significant Interaction Effect ◽

Significant Group ◽

Change Of Direction ◽

Improved Performance

Plyometrics is a popular training modality for basketball players to improve power and change-of-direction speed. Most plyometric training has used sagittal-plane exercises, but improvements in change-of-direction speed have been greater in multidirection programs.Purpose:To determine the benefits of a 6-wk frontal-plane plyometric (FPP) training program compared with a 6-wk sagittal-plane plyometric (SPP) training program with regard to power and change-of-direction speed.Methods:Fourteen female varsity high school basketball players participated in the study. Multiple 2 × 2 repeated-measures ANOVAs were used to determine differences for the FPP and SPP groups from preintervention to postintervention on 4 tests of power and 2 tests of change-of-direction speed.Results:There was a group main effect for time in all 6 tests. There was a significant group × time interaction effect in 3 of the 6 tests. The SPP improved performance of the countermovement vertical jump more than the FPP, whereas the FPP improved performance of the lateral hop (left) and lateral-shuffle test (left) more than the SPP. The standing long jump, lateral hop (right), and lateral-shuffle test (right) did not show a significant interaction effect.Conclusions:These results suggest that basketball players should incorporate plyometric training in all planes to improve power and change-of-direction speed.

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Effects of Plyometric Training and Beta-Alanine Supplementation on Maximal-Intensity Exercise and Endurance in Female Soccer Players

Journal of Human Kinetics ◽

10.1515/hukin-2017-0072 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 58 (1) ◽

pp. 99-109 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Fabián Rosas ◽

Rodrigo Ramírez-Campillo ◽

Cristian Martínez ◽

Alexis Caniuqueo ◽

Rodrigo Cañas-Jamet ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Training Program ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Training Group ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Control Group ◽

Plyometric Training ◽

Change Of Direction ◽

Maximal Intensity ◽

Beta Alanine ◽

Speed Performance

AbstractPlyometric training and beta-alanine supplementation are common among soccer players, although its combined use had never been tested. Therefore, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted to compare the effects of a plyometric training program, with or without beta-alanine supplementation, on maximal-intensity and endurance performance in female soccer players during an in-season training period. Athletes (23.7 ± 2.4 years) were assigned to either a plyometric training group receiving a placebo (PLACEBO, n = 8), a plyometric training group receiving beta-alanine supplementation (BA, n = 8), or a control group receiving placebo without following a plyometric training program (CONTROL, n = 9). Athletes were evaluated for single and repeated jumps and sprints, endurance, and change-of-direction speed performance before and after the intervention. Both plyometric training groups improved in explosive jumping (ES = 0.27 to 1.0), sprinting (ES = 0.31 to 0.78), repeated sprinting (ES = 0.39 to 0.91), 60 s repeated jumping (ES = 0.32 to 0.45), endurance (ES = 0.35 to 0.37), and change-of-direction speed performance (ES = 0.36 to 0.58), whereas no significant changes were observed for the CONTROL group. Nevertheless, compared to the CONTROL group, only the BA group showed greater improvements in endurance, repeated sprinting and repeated jumping performances. It was concluded that beta-alanine supplementation during plyometric training may add further adaptive changes related to endurance, repeated sprinting and jumping ability.

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Effects of a 12-Week Change-of-Direction Sprints Training Program on Selected Physical and Physiological Parameters in Professional Basketball Male Players

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17218214 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (21) ◽

pp. 8214

Author(s):

Seifeddine Brini ◽

Abderraouf Ben Abderrahman ◽

Daniel Boullosa ◽

Anthony C. Hackney ◽

Alessandro Moura Zagatto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Training Program ◽

Intervention Group ◽

T Test ◽

Control Group ◽

Sprint Training ◽

Basketball Players ◽

Ability Test ◽

Professional Basketball ◽

Change Of Direction ◽

Post Hoc

Multidirectional repeated sprints with quick changes-of-direction (CoD) are considered a key performance determinant in basketball. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a 12-week CoD sprint training program compared to regular basketball training on selected measures of physical fitness and physiological adaptations in male basketball players. Sixteen professional basketball players were randomly assigned to an intervention group (INT = 8) or an active control group (CON = 8). INT completed a 12-week CoD sprint training program with two sessions per week while CON continued their regular training. Training volume was similar between groups. Before and after the intervention, the two groups were evaluated for the repeated sprint ability test with CoD (IRSA5COD), the squat jump (SJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ) test, the five time-jump test (FJT) and change of direction t-test. Blood samples were taken before the beginning of the experimental protocol, after 4, 8 and 12 weeks to monitor the testosterone/cortisol ratio (T/C). For t-test, post-hoc tests revealed significant pre-to-post improvements for INT (3.4%; p = 0.001, ES = 0.91). For CMJ, post-hoc tests revealed a significant pre-to-post decrease for INT (−11.6%; p = 0.001, ES = 0.94), and a significant improvement for CON (4.96%; p = 0.014, ES = 0.60). For T/C ratio, post-hoc tests revealed a significant decrease after 12 weeks of training for INT (52.3%; p < 0.001; ES = 0.63). In conclusion, twelve weeks of CoD sprint training enhanced CoD performance but negatively affected vertical jump capacity in male basketball players. T/C ratio indicated that the physiological demands associated with INT were well-balanced.

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Effects of Strength vs. Plyometric Training on Change of Direction Performance in Experienced Soccer Players

Sports ◽

10.3390/sports8110144 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (11) ◽

pp. 144

Author(s):

Håvard Guldteig Rædergård ◽

Hallvard Nygaard Falch ◽

Roland van den Tillaar

Keyword(s):

Training Program ◽

Training Group ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Physical Conditioning ◽

Plyometric Training ◽

Change Of Direction ◽

Approach Distance ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Before And After ◽

Improved Performance

The purpose of this study was to compare how 6 weeks of strength- vs. plyometric training, which were matched upon direction of motion and workload, influences change of direction (COD) performance. Twenty-one experienced male soccer players (age: 22.2 ± 2.7) were pair-matched into a strength- (n = 10) and a plyometric (n = 11) training group. CODs of 45°, 90°, 135° and 180° performed from either a 4 m or 20 m approach distance were compared before and after intervention. Results showed no significant difference between groups. Significant effects were only found within the plyometric training group (−3.2% to −4.6%) in 90°, 135° and 180° CODs from 4 m and a 180° COD from a 20 m approach distance. Individual changes in COD performances showed that with the 4 m approach at least 55% and 81% of the strength and plyometric training group, respectively, improved COD performance, while with the 20 m approach at least 66% of both groups improved performance. This study showed that the plyometric training program can improve most CODs, with angles over 90°, although this is dependent on the distance approaching the COD. Considering the limited time of implementing physical conditioning, in addition to regular soccer practice in most soccer environments, the current plyometric training program can be advantageous in improving CODs at maximal intensity.

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The Effect of Speed Training on Sprint and Agility Performance in 15-Year-Old Female Soccer Players

LASE Journal of Sport Science ◽

10.1515/ljss-2016-0006 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 61-70 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Gunnar Elling Mathisen ◽

Svein Arne Pettersen

Keyword(s):

Training Program ◽

High Speed ◽

Training Session ◽

Training Group ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Control Group ◽

Short Burst ◽

Change Of Direction ◽

Soccer Training ◽

Speed Training

Abstract The main aim of this study was to investigate the effects of short burst speed and change-of -direction exercises on sprint and agility performance in youth female soccer players 15.5 (± 0.7) years. One training group (n=10) followed an eight-week, once per week training program consisting of short-burst sprinting exercises in addition to two normal soccer training, while a control group (n=9) followed three traditional soccer training session. Pre-and post-tests assessed significant improvement in 10 m sprint, pre 1.99 s (± 0.08), post 1.91 s (± 0.09), 20 m sprint pre 3.53 s (± 0.15), post 3.42 s (± 0.15), and agility performance, pre 8.23 s (± 0.31), post 7.80 s (± 0.33). Control group (15.1 years (± 0.7) did not demonstrate significant change in performance during the intervention period. The results demonstrate that a training program of short burst high speed exercises improve linear sprint and agility performance in youth female soccer players, beyond the gain of traditional soccer training consisting of small-sided games.

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