Plyometric training (PT) is a widely used method to improve muscle ability to generate explosive power. This study aimed to determine whether preadolescent boys exhibit plyometric trainability or not. Forty-five children were randomly assigned to either a control (CG, N = 21, 10.6 ± 0.5 years; participated only in regular soccer practice) or a plyometric training group (PTG, N = 24, 10.6 ± 0.6 years; participated in regular soccer practice plus a plyometric exercise protocol). Both groups trained for 12 weeks during the in-season period. The PT exercises (forward hopping, lateral hopping, shuffles, skipping, ladder drills, skipping, box jumps, low-intensity depth jumps) were performed twice a week. Preadolescence was verified by measuring Tanner stages, bone age, and serum testosterone. Speed (0-10, 10-20, 20-30 m), leg muscle power (static jumping, countermovement jumping, depth jumping [DJ], standing long jump [SLJ], multiple 5-bound hopping [MB5]), leg strength (10 repetition maximum), anaerobic power (Wingate testing), and soccer-specific performance (agility, kicking distance) were measured at baseline, midtraining, and posttraining. The CG caused only a modest (1.2-1.8%) increase in speed posttraining. The PTG induced a marked (p < 0.05) improvement in all speed tests (1.9-3.1% at midtraining and 3-5% at posttraining) and vertical jump tests (10-18.5% at midtraining and 16-23% at posttraining), SLJ (2.6% at midtraining and 4.2% at posttraining), MB5 (14.6% at midtraining and 23% at posttraining), leg strength (15% at midtraining and 28% at posttraining), agility (5% at midtraining and 23% at posttraining), and kicking distance (13.6% at midtraining and 22.5% at posttraining). Anaerobic power remained unaffected in both groups. These data indicate that (a) prepubertal boys exhibit considerable plyometric trainability, and (b) when soccer practice is supplemented with a PT protocol, it leads to greater performance gains.
Michaildis Y, Michaildis C, Primpa E. Analysis of goals scored in European Championship 2012. J. Hum. Sport Exerc. Vol. 8, No. 2, pp. 367-375, 2013. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate goal scoring characteristics of European Championship 2012 and the sample consisted of all the games of the final phase of the organization (N=31). The statistical analysis of the results was conducted with the use of the non parametric chi square test. According to the results of the present study the short pass (<10m) was the basic final attacking action in most of the goals (18.4%) when the long pass was at the second place (>10m) (17.1%) and the individual action at third place (14.5%). Most of the goals (40.8%) were scored with shot and then with header (27.6%) and with the inner part of the foot (21.1%). Also the most of the goals achieved through the penalty box (71.1%) (p<0.001). Finally when a team scored the first goal was the winner of the match (70.97%). The findings indicate to the coaches to use a lot of offensive exercises with short and long passes. Also the most of exercises have to locate inside the penalty box. As concerns the impact of the first goal was strong for the match outcome, so the teams have to be prepared to deal with a situation that the opponent scored the first goal.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.