Single leg, double leg and combined plyometric training implications on skill performance among football players

Abstract

An addition of plyometrics within youth-based strength and conditioning programs is becoming prominent as a means to improve stretch-shortening cycle ability. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of single leg, double leg and combined plyometric training on skill performance of football players. Forty male football players participated in this study as the subject. The subjects were randomly assigned to PT group (n=20, age: 18.5 ± 0.5 – 22.4 ± 0.5 years) and control group (n=20, age: 18.5 ± 0.5 – 22.4 ± 0.5 years). The PT group performed eight weeks’ lower extremities tri-method PT besides the football team training. The control group performed only the game practice during the study. The results showed that the running with ball, feint and dribble, agility with ball improved after PT (P<0.05). For accuracy of shooting no significant change was observed after eight weeks on PT. It was concluded that the running with ball, feint and dribble, agility with ball improved after PT, but there was no significant difference found on accuracy of shooting football between control and tri-method plyometric training group.