Acute Effects of Different Plyometric and Strength Exercises on Balance Performance in Youth Weightlifters

Abstract

Background: High-intensity muscle actions have the potential to temporarily improve the performance which has been denoted as postactivation performance enhancement.Objectives: This study determined the acute effects of different stretch-shortening (fast vs. low) and strength (dynamic vs. isometric) exercises executed during one training session on subsequent balance performance in youth weightlifters.Materials and Methods: Sixteen male and female young weightlifters, aged 11.3±0.6years, performed four strength exercise conditions in randomized order, including dynamic strength (DYN; 3 sets of 3 repetitions of 10 RM) and isometric strength exercises (ISOM; 3 sets of maintaining 3s of 10 RM of back-squat), as well as fast (FSSC; 3 sets of 3 repetitions of 20-cm drop-jumps) and slow (SSSC; 3 sets of 3 hurdle jumps over a 20-cm obstacle) stretch-shortening cycle protocols. Balance performance was tested before and after each of the four exercise conditions in bipedal stance on an unstable surface (i.e., BOSU ball with flat side facing up) using two dependent variables, i.e., center of pressure surface area (CoP SA) and velocity (CoP V).Results: There was a significant effect of time on CoP SA and CoP V [F(1,60)=54.37, d=1.88, p<0.0001; F(1,60)=9.07, d=0.77, p=0.003]. In addition, a statistically significant effect of condition on CoP SA and CoP V [F(3,60)=11.81, d=1.53, p<0.0001; F(3,60)=7.36, d=1.21, p=0.0003] was observed. Statistically significant condition-by-time interactions were found for the balance parameters CoP SA (p<0.003, d=0.54) and CoP V (p<0.002, d=0.70). Specific to contrast analysis, all specified hypotheses were tested and demonstrated that FSSC yielded significantly greater improvements than all other conditions in CoP SA and CoP V [p<0.0001 (d=1.55); p=0.0004 (d=1.19), respectively]. In addition, FSSC yielded significantly greater improvements compared with the two conditions for both balance parameters [p<0.0001 (d=2.03); p<0.0001 (d=1.45)].Conclusion: Fast stretch-shortening cycle exercises appear to be more effective to improve short-term balance performance in young weightlifters. Due to the importance of balance for overall competitive achievement in weightlifting, it is recommended that young weightlifters implement dynamic plyometric exercises in the fast stretch-shortening cycle during the warm-up to improve their balance performance.

Impact of neuromuscular training including balance, strength and plyometric exercises on static and dynamic balance in high‐level male runners with mild intellectual disability

“…Furthermore, the NMT implemented in the current study also included plyometric exercises, widely used by athletes in different sports specialties to increase strength and explosiveness of muscles (Davies et al, 2015). Researchers showed that plyometric training, induces several benefits, including improvements in vertical jump, acceleration, agility, muscle strength, and power performance, as well as enhancement in joint awareness, proprioception and PB (Davies et al, 2015; Ramirez‐Campillo et al, 2020; Werfelli et al, 2021; Zamani et al, 2010). Combining these three training modalities could optimise PB improvement in these athletes.…”

Acute effects of maximal versus submaximal hurdle jump exercises on measures of balance, reactive strength, vertical jump performance and leg stiffness in youth volleyball players

“…Our results indicate a significant, acute effect of MHJ on balance performance compared to SHJ in youth volleyball players. Using maximal plyometric action, the specificity of the exercises induce a training stress on stability ( Lauber et al, 2021 ; Werfelli et al, 2021 ). In respect to balance performance the results of the present study are not unexpected.…”

“…With reference to the study of Werfelli et al (2021) on the acute effects of different plyometric and strength exercises on balance performance in youth weightlifters, an a priori power analysis, with a type I error rate of 0.05 and 80% statistical power, was computed. The analysis indicated that 24 participants would be sufficient to observe a significant interaction effect [effect size Cohen’s f = 0.3 for the center of presser velocity (CoP V) on unstable surface (i.e., BOSU ball with flat side facing up)].…”

“…As a consequence, coaches have recommended the implementation of plyometric training in volleyball players’ training to improve balance and strength/power performance ( Ziv and Lidor, 2010 ). This recommendation is evidence based given the scientific studies that demonstrate, in different populations, short-term effects of different jump training regimens on balance and jump performance ( Lloyd et al, 2012 ; Dallas et al, 2020 ; Lauber et al, 2021 ; Werfelli et al, 2021 ). While research demonstrates that the acute effects of these exercises are similar in terms of performance, they differ with regards to the neural control mechanisms (Lees et al, 2004a; Lauber et al, 2021 ; Werfelli et al, 2021 ).…”

Positional transversal release is effective as stretching on range of movement, performance and balance: a cross-over study

“…adductors and abductors, or hip flexors and extensors or all muscles of the lower limb). Therefore, the positive effects observed may not necessarily reflect the stretching phase of the PNF, but rather the contraction, which could have determined increased strength and therefore increased ability to balance [ 83 ]. Indeed, the only study applying PNF to a single group of muscles, more specifically the hamstrings (as in the present investigation), observed no increase in balance in neither the anterior–posterior nor medio-lateral directions [ 84 ].…”