Influence of Plyometrics on Jump Capabilities in Technical and Aesthetical Sports

Abstract

Summary:The aim of the study was to examine the effect of plyometric exercises on explosive strength of lower extremities in girls performing of technical and aesthetical sports. Experiment was carried out on three groups; artistic gymnasts (V G , n = 15; age = 12.4 ± 0.7 years), fitness girls (V F , n = 15; age = 13.8 ± 1.9 years) and dancers (V D , n = 15; age = 13.8 ± 2 years). To check, the control group of general population was involved in the study (V K , n = 15; age = 13.9 ± 1.5 years). Following tests on jump ergometer Fitro Jumper were carried out at the beginning and at the end of experimental period: countermovement jump without and with arms swing and 10-second series of repeated vertical jumps.Plyometric program consisted of two plyometric units a week during thirty weeks. The results show that higher improvement in all evaluated tests achieved the group of fitness. In the countermovement jump without arm swing was observed improvement height of the jump 3.4 ± 1.4 cm (p ˂ 0.00001), in the countermovement jump with arm swing 5.7 ± 1.5 cm (p ˂ 0.00001), in difference of height of the jump between countermovement jump with and without arms swing 2.3 ± 1 cm (p ˂ 0.00001), in ten second series of repeated vertical jumps without arms swing in the height of jump 4.2 ± 1.6 cm (p ˂ 0.00001) and in power in active take off phase 8.8 ± 2.2 W.kg -1 (p ˂ 0.00001). Based on finding the study and in coherence with data from literature, we can conclude the effect of plyometric exercises was effective in combination with specific-strength training. Jumping ability is limiting factor of sport performance in technical and aesthetical sports and implementation of plyometric exercises to the training is highly recommend. The high level of jump capabilities can improve the quality and technique of performance complex acrobatic elements and dance leaps thereby increasing overall evaluation of performance in selected sports.

The Effect of 16 Weeks of Lower-Limb Strength Training in Jumping Performance of Ballet Dancers

“…Previous studies that observed the effect of training programs in the jump height of dancers have also obtained improvements in this variable with values pre-post diverging between 16.9 (2.9) cm and 18.9 (2.7) cm ( p < 0.001, d = 0.36: small ES) pre-post 30 weeks of a plyometric training program and in CMJ with arm swing dancers jumped 21.5 (3) cm vs. 25 (2.8) cm ( p < 0.001, d = 1.21: large), an ES equal to our findings in CMJ ( Mlsnová and Luptáková, 2017 ); 22.50 (4.21) cm and 25.47 (4.95) cm pre-post a 10-week modern and recreational dance exercise program and trunk and leg muscle strengthening exercises ( Stošić et al, 2020 ); 26.93 (2.78) cm and 27.35 (3.06) cm pre-post an 8-week protocol ( Tsanaka et al, 2017 ); and 29.3 (3.2) cm and 33.5 (3.7) cm with a significant improvement ( Escobar-Alvarez et al, 2019 ) aligned with our findings. Still, in studies without interventions, CMJ height values ranged between 23.34 (1.72) cm in dancers aged 15 (1.07) years ( Rojano-Ortega, 2020 ) and 28.29 (3.42) cm in dancers aged 18.94 (1.32) years ( Alvarez et al, 2020 ).…”

“…Some studies observed the effect of training programs to improve jumping performance, either in dancers or in rhythmic gymnastics, which is the gymnastics discipline more equivalent to dance ( Wang et al, 2010 ; Piazza et al, 2014 ; Komeroski et al, 2016 ; Mlsnová and Luptáková, 2017 ; Tsanaka et al, 2017 ; Dobrijević et al, 2018 ; Skopal et al, 2020 ; Stošić et al, 2020 ). Focusing on dance, previous studies have applied for a specific strength training program, for 9 weeks, based on and adjusted according to the force-velocity profile of each dancer ( Escobar-Alvarez et al, 2019 ); evaluated whether a 9-week resistance training program could have a significant effect on the strength and power of the lower limbs in adolescent dancers ( Dowse et al, 2020 ); applied, for 10 weeks, a modern and recreational dance exercise program and trunk and leg muscle strengthening exercises in university dance students ( Stošić et al, 2020 ) and used their ballet classes, modified with a focus on lower-limb strength (reduction in bar duration (from 45′ to 20′) and the petit and grand allegro exercises at the beginning of center work, for 8 weeks, as an intervention to analyze jumping ability ( Tsanaka et al, 2017 ).…”

Effect of Exercise Training on Physical Fitness among Gymnastic Athletes: Systematic Review and Metanalysis

“…12 6,7,10 , three studies included Artistic gymnasts 2, 12, 13 while 2 studies have not mentioned the type of gymnasts. 3,11 INTERVENTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS In total about 7 different interventional programs were studied in the included studies (Table 3) among which were Plyometric training, 6,3,11,13 core and plyometric training together 10 , Core training alone 7 and Neuromuscular training. 2 The duration of studies included range from 4 weeks to 12 months period with only one study of one-time intervention.…”

“…Among these studies one study has used force plates to measure the drop jumps (DJ) and CMJ 10 which has provided the most accurate results. Plyometric led to repeated stimuli of explosive training which in turn led to improvement of jumping abilities like Vertical jump 6 , Drop jump 2,11 , Countermovement jumps 3,13,11 and Squat jump 11 .…”

“…Although previous studies have incorporated athletes as their participants from the range of different sports but as the effects of exercise training will vary depending on the background of sports of the athlete. 5,13,16,19 Therefore, their findings cannot be generalised to gymnastic athletes. Due to the above reasons, the purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review that provided updated information on the performance and physical fitness in gymnastic discipline.…”