Neuromuscular adaptations to plyometric training: depth jump vs. countermovement jump on sand

Optimal Reactive Strength Index: Is It an Accurate Variable to Optimize Plyometric Training Effects on Measures of Physical Fitness in Young Soccer Players?

“…Although previous studies showed that plyometric jump training may improve jumping performance in youth soccer players (6,23), the current novel experimental approach demonstrated that both optimal and fixed box heights improve jumping performance during drop jump-based plyometric training, with greater meaningful improvements using the former training approach. Adaptations such as an increase in muscle activation (25), activation rates, twitch torque, and reduced electro-mechanical delay (18), and improved intermuscular coordination (20) may facilitate rapid and maximal force production, thus jumping performance. In addition, a better utilization of the SSC properties of agonist muscles, greater muscle size, and possible fast-twitch muscle fibers increases may also lead to greater jumping ability (20,41).…”

Effect of Plyometric Training on Speed and Change of Direction Ability in Elite Field Hockey Players

“…One limitation of the present study is the relatively small final sample, as this reduces the statistical power and ultimately limits the strength with which conclusions can be drawn based on the results. The power calculation that was done prior to beginning the study revealed that twelve subjects for each group would be sufficient to provide statistical power based on previous studies [12,15,18,22,[32][33][34][35]. Thirty athletes were initially recruited, however thirteen failed to complete the intervention.…”

“…This demonstrates the need for individualization of imposed training demands to elicit favorable adaptation in highly trained participants. As noted above, several previous studies have demonstrated drop jump training performed in the conventional manner can improve muscular power and sprint performance, and the weight of current literature still supports the use of conventional drop jumps as an effective method of training for power, speed, and perhaps COD [12,15,34,[36][37].…”

“…Further, we believe the findings of this study are of strong practical relevance given the integration of the training protocol with the regular training program of the men's and women's national teams. These findings should, however, be interpreted with consideration of the specific population involved, and care should be taken when generalizing the results to athletic populations of different training status or sports with physical requirements that are different from hockey.Whilst little research has investigated the effects of drop jumps performed in the manner of the H-L group, much more research has involved conventional style drop jumps such as those performed by the L-H group, and found mostly positive effects on measures of lower limb muscular power and linear sprint performance[12,15,34,[36][37]. It has previously been posited that the rate of progressin strength and power development diminishes with increased strength levels and resistance training experience, and as a result a limited scope exists for gains in muscular strength and power and their related performance variables in elite athletes or athletes with greater resistance-training experience [38-39].…”

Muscle contractile properties on different sport surfaces using tensiomyography

“…However, the higher fatigue on the sand surface demonstrated in this study requires a higher control of training load. This control would allow the use of sand for sport training due to the benefits in the athlete's performance, incorporating exercises on sand during their firm surface training (Mirzaei et al, 2013).…”