Effects of Contrast Strength vs. Plyometric Training on Lower-Limb Explosive Performance, Ability to Change Direction and Neuromuscular Adaptation in Soccer Players

Abstract

The aim was to compare the effects of two differing 8-week in-season strength training programs (contrast strength training [CST] vs. plyometric training [PT]) on selected performance tests (5 and 40m sprints, S 4 X 5 m change of direction test, squat (SJ) and countermovement (CMJ) jumps , leg peak power on a cycle ergometer force-velocity test, 1-repetition maximal (1-RM) half squat, and electromyographic [EMG] activity of the vastus lateralis, vastus medialis and rectus femoris muscles during vertical jump tests). Forty male soccer players (age = 15.8 ± 0.4 years; body mass = 58.8 ± 6.3 kg; body height = 1.74 ± 0.06 m; body fat = 10.5 ± 1.9 %) were divided between a contrast strength (CSG, n = 14), plyometric (PG, n = 14) and control groups (CG, n = 12). Both training programs enhanced sprint performance (p<0.001 in 5m; p≤0.05 in 40m) and change of direction test scores (p<0.001) relative to controls. PG and CSG increased SJ height relative to the CG, with a slightly greater response in CSG compared to PG (p≤0.05). The majority of CMJ scores increased significantly in both CSG and PG relative to the CG, with no inter-group differences in training response. The majority of force-velocity scores increased significantly in the CSG relative to PG and CG. The EMG parameters also increased in the CSG relative to both PG and CG. In summary, most measures of athletic performance in male soccer players were enhanced after CST and PT. However, the improvement of physical performance was better with eight weeks of CST than with PT. Thus, coaches should be encouraged to include CST as an element of in-season conditioning.

Effects of Short-term Plyometric Training on Countermovement Vertical Jump Height and Kinematics of Take-Off

“…The significantly increased CMJ height due to the plyometric training in this study is in agreement with studies about the effect of short-term plyometric training (1,(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)). In the current study, the CMJ height was increased from 43.80 cm to 53.13 cm (21.3%) after 6-week plyometric training.…”

“…Arabatzi et al indicated a significant increase in CMJ height and a decrease in maximum knee angle after 8-week PT, while the hip angle was not significantly altered (15). Moreover, Hammami et al and Zubac et al found a significant increase in CMJ height due to 8-week PT (16,17). Adibpour et al found a significant increase in CMJ height due to eight weeks of combined plyometric and weight training for young female basketball players (18).…”

The Effect of a 8 Week-Explosive Power Training on Some Performance Parameters of Students who Studying in Sports High School

“…In a recent study, it was seen that plyometric training group's and contrast strength training group's squat jump and counter movement jump performances post-test results were significantly higher than control group's post-test results. On the other hand, it was found that plyometric training group's agility performance post-test results were significantly higher than control group's agility performance post-test results (Hammami, Gaamouri, Shephard & Chelly, 2019).…”

Efeitos do treinamento pliométrico sobre a impulsão vertical em atletas de futebol de campo na faixa etária de 15 a 18 anos: uma revisão sistemática (Effects of plyometric training on vertical jump in soccer players between 15 and 18 years old: a systema)

“…A tabela 4 apresenta as características metodológicas e os principais resultados dos estudos incluídos na presente revisão. Os 7 primeiros estudos utilizaram o TP como intervenção, sem associação com outros métodos e avaliaram diferentes tipos de saltos representados pelo SCM, SSC e salto horizontal (SH) em todos os resultados apresentados, além de outras variáveis de desempenho (Granacher et al, 2015;Loturco et al, 2015;Loturco et al, 2016;Fonseca et al, 2017;Bianchi et al, 2019;Hammami et al, 2019;Ribeiro et al, 2019). Os outros 3 estudos (Villarreal et al, 2015;Beato et al, 2018;Ramirez-Campillo et al, 2018) realizaram intervenções mistas, envolvendo algum tipo de treinamento pliométrico, associado com outros métodos, como o de aceleração, de resistência de força, fundamentos do futebol e mudanças de direção e também comparados com outros GE ou GC.…”

“…Na maioria dos estudos, o TP produziu aumento sobre a IV. As intervenções mistas também proporcionaram efeitos positivos sobre a IV, conforme observados nos estudos de Villarreal et al (2015), Beato et al (2017), Campillo et al (2018) e Hammami et al (2019). A seguir, são apresentados os estudos incluídos na revisão agrupados de acordo com os tipos de intervenções e as variáveis analisadas.…”