Effect of Plyometric Training on Sport Performance in Adolescent Overhead Athletes: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Context: Plyometric training has been shown to be beneficial in adolescent overhead athletes. However, existing research on the effects of plyometrics on sport performance has been limited. Objective: To systematically review the current literature to investigate whether plyometric training intervention improves upper- and lower-body sport performance. Data Sources: Two electronic databases (MEDLINE and Web of Science) were searched using specific Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms up to February 2019, and hand-searching was performed by looking to relevant studies that were cited in other studies. Study Selection: A total of 932 items were identified and were further assessed for the eligibility in the systematic review. For a study to be eligible, each of the following inclusion criteria had to be met: (1) participants were aged 13 to 18 years and selected from a sports or athletic population and the study (2) involved the evaluation of a plyometric training intervention with an aim to improve sports performance; (3) must have included a control intervention and/or control group; (4) included a quantitative objective measure of sport performance variables concerning throwing, jumping, running, and sprinting; and (5) was published in English. Study Design: Systematic review. Level of Evidence: Level 3. Data Extraction: A first screening was conducted based on title and abstract of the articles. In the second screening, the full text of the remaining articles was evaluated for the fulfillment of the inclusion criteria. Results: A total of 14 studies were included in this review. The methodological quality of the included studies ranged from low to moderate. There is moderate evidence that plyometric training intervention improves throwing and jumping performances. There is also preliminary evidence that plyometric training intervention improves sprint performance. Conclusion: The current evidence suggests that sport performance consisting of throwing capacity, jumping ability, and sprint performance significantly improved due to plyometric training interventions in adolescent overhead athletes.

The Effects of an Eight Week Plyometric-based Program on Motor Performance Skills and Muscular Power in 7–8-Year-Old Primary School Students

“…The current findings are consistent with other published studies examining efficacy of plyometric training in slightly older children than in the present study (Bedoya et al, 2015;Eraslan et al, 2021). To the best of our knowledge, only two studies (Chaouachi et al, 2014;Nobre et al, 2017) have applied a plyometric-based program on school premises, outside of the PE curriculum, in a slightly older sample than in the current study, and both identified significant improvements in motor performance skills.…”

Plyometric training effects on physical fitness and muscle damage in high school baseball players

“…To perform these movements successfully, high levels of physical fitness, including speed, power, and agility are essential [ 1 ]. Furthermore, overhead sports such as baseball involve repetitive, high-intensity, whole-body movements, so adolescent athletes playing such sports should enhance their multi-dimensional exercise capacity, including the anaerobic power and agility of the upper and lower extremities [ 2 - 4 ]. A number of studies have thus highlighted that suitable training programs for adolescent overhead athletes are crucial to enhance sport-specific performance [ 4 ], and that various training programs have assisted in maintaining high-level performance and preventing injuries [ 5 , 6 ].…”

The effect of 8-week plyometric training on jump height, agility, speed and asymmetry

“…those who did not do additional plyometric training [5]. Although the performance benefits of plyometric training are frequently shown in the literature [6,7], more studies are needed to understand the effects of different training methods on athletes of certain age groups and branches. In addition, when using this training method, it should be remembered that the inability to set exercise levels correctly can lead to injuries, so the selection of the exercises according to age and performance level is important.…”