Plyometric and resistance training : a dual approach to enhance physical fitness in 12–15-year-old girls

Petrušič, Tanja (author)

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of an 8-week combined plyometric and resistance training program on the physical fitness (PF) of adolescent girls aged 12 to 15 years. The objective was to determine whether combined training (CT) would yield greater improvements in performance measures compared to resistance training (RT) alone. Methods: Fortyseven adolescent girls were randomly assigned to either the CT group or the RT group. Performance measures such as the 20 m sprint, squat jump, vertical jump, handgrip strength, and flexibility (sit and reach test) were assessed before and after the 8-week intervention. Changes in these measures were analyzed to compare the effects of the two training approaches. Results: The CT group showed a significant reduction in sprint time (−6.5%) compared to the RT group (−4.1%), although the difference was not statistically significant. Squat jump height improved significantly by 5.6% in the CT group compared to 1.1% in the RT group (p < 0.05). Similarly, vertical jump height increased by 6.7% in the CT group and by 2.4% in the RT group (p < 0.05). Handgrip strength improved by 7.5% in the CT group and 4.6% in the RT group, with no significant differences between the groups. Flexibility showed slight, non-significant improvements in both groups. Conclusions: The findings suggest that a combined plyometric and RT program is more effective in enhancing explosive power, specifically squat and vertical jump performance, in adolescent girls compared to RT alone. These results highlight the potential of CT programs for improving overall physical performance in this population.

• Language: English
• Keywords: neuromuscular adaptations, athletic training, muscle power, lower limb strength, adolescents
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: PEF - Faculty of Education
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2024
• Number of pages: Str. 373-386
• Numbering: Vol. 4, iss. 4
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-164651
• UDC: 796.015-055.2
• ISSN on article: 2673-9488
• DOI: 10.3390/physiologia4040023
• COBISS.SI-ID: 213886723
• Publication date in RUL: 06.11.2024

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Physiologia
• Publisher: MDPI
• ISSN: 2673-9488
• COBISS.SI-ID: 149030403

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: tekmovalni šport, dekleta, košarka, tenis, odbojka, trening, šport