Abstract:
Plyometric training is a quick, powerful movement involving a system of reactive
exercises and an eccentric contraction, followed immediately by an explosive concentric
contraction. The objective of this study was to find out effects of eight weeks plyometric
training on selected skill-related fitness components of male U-17 soccer trainees: the
case of Ambo Goal FIFA Football Academy. The design was an experimental method.
The 33 male football players in the Ambo Goal FIFA Football Academy who were the
study's population of interest were selected using thorough comprehensive sampling
techniques when they were U-17 years old. By using a random sampling lottery system,
the participants in this study were divided into two groups: the experimental group (n =
16), which underwent plyometric training three times a week for two months, lasting 60
minutes per session, and the control group (n = 17), which did not participate in the
eight-week plyometric training program but both groups undergone regular football
training program. And both an experimental and control group had taken pre and post tests. The skill related physical fitness components performance test; speed (35 meter
sprint test), agility (agility T-test) and explosive power (standing long jump test). For the
analysis, SPSS software (version 26) was utilized. The gathered data was analyzed using
paired-samples t-tests, mean, and standard deviation. The significant level of p<0.05 was
considered. The result shows after two months of plyometric training significant mean
differences were found in 35m sprint speed test (MD=0.66sec,p<0.000), agility T-test
(MD=0.74sec, p<0.000) and standing long jump test (MD=-.50m, p<0.000). According
to the study's findings, the intervention group's fitness levels in all of the selected skill related physical fitness components significantly improved. The study concluded that the
effect of plyometric exercise training programs had a significant positive effect on
improvement of speed, agility and explosive power of male U-17 soccer players after 8
weeks plyometric training.
