The Role of Plyometric Training in Improving Explosive Power in Sprinters: A Qualitative Analysis

Authors

    Mathias Bastholm * Research Unit for General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark,5230 Odense, Denmark mathias.bastholm@sdu.dk
    Geoffrey Olsen Liva Healthcare, Research and Innovation, 1434 Copenhagen, Denmark
https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.intjssh.7.3.10

Keywords:

Plyometric Training, Explosive Power, Sprinters, Athletic Performance, Muscle Strength, Speed, Agility, Psychological Benefits, Training Efficiency

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to explore the role of plyometric training in enhancing explosive power among sprinters.

Methods and Materials: This qualitative research employed semi-structured interviews to gather data from 17 sprinters aged 18 to 30 years, with at least three years of competitive experience. Participants were recruited from local athletic clubs and universities. Data collection continued until theoretical saturation was achieved, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the impact of plyometric training. Thematic analysis was used to identify and analyze patterns within the data, providing detailed insights into the participants' experiences and perceptions.

Findings: The study revealed significant physical improvements attributed to plyometric training, including enhanced muscle strength, increased speed, improved jumping ability, and reduced injury risk. Psychological benefits such as increased confidence, enhanced motivation, and improved mental resilience were also noted. Participants reported a better training experience with diverse and efficient routines, improved technique understanding, and strong peer support. Performance outcomes showed notable improvements in competition results, skill application, and recovery times. These findings align with existing literature, confirming the comprehensive benefits of plyometric training for sprinters.

Conclusion: Plyometric training significantly enhances explosive power and overall performance in sprinters. The physical, psychological, and performance-related benefits make it a crucial component of athletic training programs. Despite limitations such as the small sample size and reliance on self-reported data, the study provides valuable insights into the multifaceted advantages of plyometric exercises.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

1. Shedge SS. Optimizing Agility and Athletic Proficiency

in Badminton Athletes Through Plyometric Training: A Review.

Cureus. 2024. [DOI]

2. Zaman MM, Mondal P. Effect of Twelve Weeks

Plyometric Training on Leg Explosive Strength for 14 to 19 Year

Old Athletes. International Journal of Physical Education Sports

and Health. 2023;10(2):246-9. [DOI]

3. Sudirman R. Plyometric Training and Circuit Training in

Terms of Eye-Hand Coordination: How It Affects the Explosive

Power of Sickle Attacks? Retos. 2023;52:131-7. [DOI]

4. Loturco I, Pereira LA, Freitas TT, Túlio Bernardo

Macedo Alfano M, Mercer VP, Fernandes VMC, et al. Plyometric

Training Practices of Brazilian Olympic Sprint and Jump Coaches:

Toward a Deeper Understanding of Their Choices and Insights.

Journal of Human Kinetics. 2023;88:131-50. [PMID: 37559773]

[PMCID: PMC10407309] [DOI]

5. Pamuk ÖN, Hancı E, Uçar N, Hasanli N, Gundogdu A,

Özkaya YG. Resisted Plyometric Exercises Increase Muscle

Strength in Young Basketball Players. Revista Brasileira De

Medicina Do Esporte. 2022;28(4):331-6. [PMID: 36196355]

[PMCID: PMC9465740] [DOI]

6. Kosova S, Beyhan R, Kosova MK. The Effect of 8-Week

Plyometric Training on Jump Height, Agility, Speed and

Asymmetry. Pedagogy of Physical Culture and Sports.

2022;26(1):13-8. [DOI]

7. Borah P, Sajwan AS. Effect of Plyometric Training on

Repeated Countermovement Jump Performance of Collegiate

Athletes. International Journal of Physical Education Sports and

Health. 2022;9(4):168-72. [DOI]

8. Adnyana IKS, Astra IIB, Muliarta IW, Gunarto P,

Suwiwa IG. The Effect of Double Leg Bound and Incline Bound

Plyometrics Training Methods on Increasing Legs Power.

2022:133-8. [DOI]

9. Aksović N, Bjelica B, Milanović F, Jovanović N,

Zelenović M. Plyometric Training Effects on Explosive Power,

Sprint and Direction Change Speed in Basketball: A Review.

Turkish Journal of Kinesiology. 2021;7(2):73-9. [DOI]

10. Arazi H, Asadi A. The Effect of Aquatic and Land

Plyometric Training on Strength, Sprint, and Balance in Young

Basketball Players. Journal of Human Sport and Exercise.

2011;6(1):101-11. [DOI]

11. Asadi A. Muscular Performance Adaptations to ShortTerm Plyometric Training on Sand: Influence of Interday Rest.

Journal of Human Sport and Exercise. 2015;10(3). [DOI]

12. Hamzah A, Fauziah E, Wulandari TW. Plyometric

Training Combinations With Mobilization With Movement Better

Compared With Plyometric Training Combination With Strain

Counter Strains in Improving Balance in the Chronic Ankle

Instability in Barito Farma Clinic. Jurnal Kajian Ilmiah Kesehatan

Dan Teknologi. 2020;2(2):1-8. [DOI]

13. Bawiskar D, Phansopkar P. Efficacy of Agility Training

in a Police Cadet: A Case Study. Journal of Pharmaceutical

Research International. 2021:281-7. [DOI]

14. Bolger R, Lyons M, Harrison AJ, Kenny IC. Coaching

Sprinting: Expert Coaches’ Perception of Resistance-Based

Training. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching.

2016;11(5):746-54. [DOI]

15. Ince T, Daglioglu O. The Effect of the Plyometric

Training Program on Sportive Performance Parameters in Young

Soccer Players. Turkish Journal of Sport and Exercise. 2018. [DOI]

16. Chmielewski TL, Myer GD, Kauffman DF, Tillman SM.

Plyometric Exercise in the Rehabilitation of Athletes:

Physiological Responses and Clinical Application. Journal of

Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy. 2006;36(5):308-19.

[PMID: 16715831] [DOI]

17. Benito-Martínez E, Lara-Sánchez A, Berdejo-del-Fresno

D, López EJM. Effects of Combined Electrostimulation and

Plyometric Training on Vertical Jump and Speed Tests. Journal of

Human Sport and Exercise. 2011;6(4):603-15. [DOI]

18. Han G-S, Lee M, Cho B-J. Effects of Dynamic Stretch

Training on Lower Extremity Power Performance of Young

Sprinters. Journal of Physical Therapy Science. 2011;23(3):401-4.

[DOI]

19. Hentilä J, Hulmi JJ, Laakkonen EK, Ahtiainen JP,

Suominen H, Korhonen M. Sprint and Strength Training Modulates

Autophagy and Proteostasis in Aging Sprinters. Medicine &

Science in Sports & Exercise. 2020;52(9):1948-59. [PMID:

32205677] [DOI]

20. Khan W, Muhammad K, Sohail S, Khan V, Arif T,

Мухаммед К, et al. Effects of Varied Packages of Plyometric

Training on Selected Motor Ability Components Among

University Students. Physical Education of Students.

2020;24(5):278-85. [DOI]

21. Kurniawan C, Setijono H, Hidayah T, Hadi H, Sugiharto

S. The Effect Plyometric Training With Active-Passive Recovery

for 8 Weeks on Performance Physical Abilities Male Judo Athletes.

Pedagogy of Physical Culture and Sports. 2021;25(6):361-6. [DOI]

22. Lakshmikanth VP, Paul J, Ebenezer BSI, Ramanathan.

Effects of Plyometric Training and Conventional Training on

Agility Performance in Tennis Players. International Journal of

Medical and Exercise Science. 2018;04(03):492-9. [DOI]

23. Lima JB, Marin DP, Barquilha G, Silva LD, Puggina EF,

Pithon‐Curi TC, et al. Acute Effects of Drop Jump Potentiation

Protocol on Sprint and Countermovement Vertical Jump

Performance. Human Movement. 2011;12(4). [DOI]

24. Loturco I. Effects of Different Conditioning Activities on

the Sprint Performance of Elite Sprinters: A Systematic Review

With Meta-Analysis. International journal of sports physiology and

performance. 2024;19(7):712-21. [PMID: 38823792] [DOI]

25. Maciel LA, Patrício Lopes de Araújo L, Santos PA,

Barbosa LP, Gutierrez SD, Deus LA, et al. Intensity of Depression

Symptoms Is Negatively Associated With Catalase Activity in

Master Athletes. International Journal of Environmental Research

and Public Health. 2023;20(5):4397. [PMID: 36901407] [PMCID:

PMC10002178] [DOI]

26. Rimmer E, Sleivert GG. Effects of a Plyometrics

Intervention Program on Sprint Performance. The Journal of

Strength and Conditioning Research. 2000;14(3):295-301. [DOI]

27. Singh D, Singh S. Effects of Vertical and Horizontal

Plyometric Exercises on Running Speed. Human Movement.

2018;14(2):144-7. [DOI]

28. Sugisaki N, Kurokawa S. Effect of Lower-Body

Plyometric Training on Athletic Performance and Muscle–tendon

Properties. The Journal of Physical Fitness and Sports Medicine.

2014;3(2):205-9. [DOI]

29. Romadhoni WN, Irianto DP. The Effect of Plyometrics

Training and Strengths on Power Skills and Agility of Male Player

in Extracurricular Volleyball. 2018. [DOI]

30. Pereira LA, Boullosa D, Túlio Bernardo Macedo Alfano

M, Mercer VP, Fernandes V, Bishop C, et al. Post-Activation

Performance Enhancement in Sprinters: Effects of Hard Versus

Sand Surfaces. Journal of Human Kinetics. 2022;82:173-80. [DOI]

31. Villarreal ESd, Requena B, Cronin J. The Effects of

Plyometric Training on Sprint Performance: A Meta-Analysis. The

Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 2012;26(2):575-

84. [PMID: 22240550] [DOI]

Downloads

Additional Files

Published

2024-07-01

How to Cite

Bastholm , M. ., & Olsen, G. (2024). The Role of Plyometric Training in Improving Explosive Power in Sprinters: A Qualitative Analysis. International Journal of Sport Studies for Health, 7(3), 71-79. https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.intjssh.7.3.10