EFFECT OF PLYOMETRIC TRAINING ON SPEED, STRENGTH AND POWER OF MALE FOOTBALL PLAYERS IN CASE OF GOHATSION FOOTBALL TEAM PLAYERS, IN NORTH SHOWA ZONE, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to find out the effect of plyometric training on speed, strength and power of Gohatsion male football team players. To achieve the purpose of the study thirty football players (X± SD= 21.10 ± 1.689 years of age) were volunteered to participate in this study. All of the subjects played on Gohatsion football team and none were being trained by means of a plyometric training program. The subjects were grouped randomly in to EG (N= 15) and CG (N = 15). All of the experimental group members had successfully passed a physical exam and completed a medical history questionnaire in which they were screened for any possible injury or illness. The group received all the necessary information about the study's procedures in oral and written form. Then the plyometric training was given for experimental group for two days per a week in addition to their regular football related activities for 12 weeks. Both groups underwent measurements of their 10m and 30m speed tests, squat and wall - sit strength tests and vertical jump and standing long jump power tests before, during and after the training program and the scores were recorded. The collected data were analyzed by paired sample T- test using SPSS version 21. In EG the results were found for 10m sprint test (p =0.00), 30m acceleration test (p = 0.02) whereas in a CG the results were found for 10m and 30m (p=0.05) and (p = 0.046) respectively. Both groups showing improvements in VJ and SLJ power tests, but the improvement in EG (VJ) P = 0.00, (SLJ) P = 0.001) greater than CG (VJ) P = 0.046, (SLJ) P = 0.047). On the other hand, the EG improved in their squat test result (SQT) P = 0.00) and (WST) P = 0.04) significantly more than players in the CG ((SQT) P = 0.040 and (WST) P = 0.077). Consequently, it was observed that 12-week plyometric training in addition to football trainings contributed to the speed, strength and power development among footballers; therefore, the present study recommended that plyometric training with a proper intensity, frequency, rest and progression needs to be incorporated with regular football training program to improve the players’ speed, strength and power performance