Original Research Article
Year: 2020 | Month: August | Volume: 10 | Issue: 8 | Pages: 19-25
Effectiveness of Plyometric Drills In Improving Lower Extremity Strength and Speed among Long Jump Athletes
Allen Thomas Koshy1, Anila Paul2, Nizar Abdul Majeed Kutty3
1Physiotherapist, St. Thomas Hospital, Chethipuzha, Kottayam, Kerala, India
2Professor & HOD, Medical Trust Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Physiotherapy, Irumpanam, Kochi, Kerala, India 682309
3Senior Lecturer, Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia
Corresponding Author: Anila Paul
ABSTRACT
Background: Long jump, being a track and field event, combines speed, strength and agility to ensure performance of athlete. Literature revealed scarcity about relation of lower extremity strength and speed in long jump performance. Current study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of plyometric drills on lower extremity strength and speed among long jump athletes.
Materials and Methods: Thirty subjects from Physical Training Academy were recruited for this experimental study through purposive sampling. Participants were allocated into two groups, experimental group (15 males) and control group (15 males). Pre-test analysis was performed for both groups for Static Strength, Dynamic Strength and speed using Hand Held Dynamometry, Vertical Jump Height Test and 50 Meter Dash respectively. Experimental group received Plyometric Drill in addition to conventional exercise whereas; control group received conventional exercise only for 6 weeks. Post-test analysis was conducted using ‘t’ test at level of significance p≤0.05.
Results: Statistical analysis of post-test values of both groups expressed significant difference (p<0.05) in static strength, dynamic strength (explosive strength) and speed among experimental group compared to control group. Among three outcome measures, static strength reported high significant difference compared to speed and dynamic strength among experimental group. Statistical analysis within the groups reported a significant improvement in dependent variables in both groups.
Conclusion: This study revealed effectiveness of Plyometric exercise in improving static strength, dynamic strength and speed compared to conventional exercise among long jump athletes.
Key words: Plyometric, Vertical jump test, Long jump, Hand - Held Dynamometer, 50 Meter Dash Test