Investigation of the Effect of 12-Week Plyometric Training on Selected Elements Applied to Mardin Artuklu University Volleyball Teams

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 12 weeks of plyometric training in addition to regular volleyball training on the development of agility, flexibility, jumping and balance in young athletes. In the study, 12 male and 12 female athletes aged between 18-22 years who played in Mardin Artuklu University volleyball teams participated voluntarily. Plyometric exercises were applied to the study group in addition to technical-tactical volleyball training 3 days a week for 12 weeks. In each training session, plyometric training exercises were performed for 30 minutes immediately after 90 minutes of volleyball technical-tactical training. The data of the Illinois agility test, flamingo balance test, jumping test with jump meter, and sit reach flexibility test were recorded before and after the 12-week plyometric training programme prepared for the research.

SPSS 24.0 statistical package programme was used to analyse the data obtained in the study. Although the measurement values showed normal distribution, non-parametric tests were applied to the data since n<30. Wilcoxon test was used for intra-group comparisons and Man Whitney-U test was used for inter-group comparisons. The significance level was taken as p<0.05. According to the findings, significant differences were found in agility, balance, jumping and flexibility parameters of the experimental group. As a result, it is thought that the application of plyometric training exercises in addition to normal volleyball training will have a positive effect on the performance of volleyball athletes.