Neuromuscular, Hormonal, and Metabolic Responses to Different Plyometric Training Volumes in Rugby Players

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different volumes of plyometric exercise (i.e., 100, 200, or 300 hurdle jumps) on acute strength and jump performance and on the acute hormonal and lactate responses in rugby players. Eleven young male elite rugby players (age, 23.5 ± 0.9 years; height, 173 ± 4.8 cm) volunteered for the study. Maximal isometric peak torque (PT), maximal rate of force development (RFD), squat jump (SJ), and drop jump (DJ) performance were assessed before and 5 minutes, 8 hours, and 24 hours after 100, 200, or 300 jumps. In addition, total testosterone (TT), cortisol (COR), and lactate were measured before and after the 3 different plyometric exercise volumes. There were significant decreases in the PT (p < 0.02) and maximal RFD (p < 0.001) 5 minutes, 8 hours, and 24 hours after 100, 200, and 300 jumps, with no differences between the exercise volumes. Additionally, there were significant decreases in the SJ (p < 0.001) and DJ (p < 0.01) performances 24 hours after 100, 200, and 300 jumps, with no differences between the exercise volumes. However, there were significant increases in the TT (p < 0.001), COR (p < 0.05), and lactate (p < 0.001) after 100, 200, and 300 jumps, with no differences between the exercise volumes. All plyometric exercise volumes (100, 200, and 300 jumps) resulted in similar neuromuscular, metabolic, and hormonal responses.

The Effects of Aquatic Plyometric Training on Repeated Jumps, Drop Jumps and Muscle Damage

“…These results might suggest that adaptations do not respond to volume stimuli in a linear dose-response fashion, as it has been reported previously [13,14]. Cadore et al [5] consider that 100 jumps per session could be an appropriate stimulus to produce marked acute physiological responses even in highly trained athletes. In the present study, the training volume attained from week 5 to week 10 was far greater than the 100 jumps per session recommended by Cadore and colleagues [5].…”

“…Cadore et al [5] consider that 100 jumps per session could be an appropriate stimulus to produce marked acute physiological responses even in highly trained athletes. In the present study, the training volume attained from week 5 to week 10 was far greater than the 100 jumps per session recommended by Cadore and colleagues [5]. Therefore, the drop in performance shown for both training groups after training period could be due to excessive training volume.…”

The Neuromuscular, Biochemical, and Endocrine Responses to a Single-Session Vs. Double-Session Training Day in Elite Athletes

“…The scale ranged from very, very good (1) to very, very sore (7). The use of this Likert scale is supported by previous research in the area (2).…”

Variation in Responses to Sprint Training in Male Youth Athletes: A Meta-analysis

“…As expected, larger effects were seen in programmes that lasted longer and had more training sessions per programme. Effect sizes were of greater magnitude in programmes with less than 16 sprints performed over distances greater than 20 m and with rest intervals higher than 90 s. Also, 2 sessions per week seemed more effective than 1 whereas distances of between 20 m and 40 m were more sensitive to measuring changes in sprinting performance following an intervention when compared to 0 m to 20 m. Three sessions per week had a lower effect size than 2 sessions per week, which could be explained by an imbalance of studies in the respective subgroups or a suboptimal response to progressively higher training volumes: higher volumes of training are not necessarily more beneficial [6]. The presence of high heterogeneity after subgroup analysis suggests that moderators of the main effect may not have been found, meaning other factors could account for training adaptations.…”