Effectiveness of plyometric training on agility in male collegiate foot-ball players, an experimental study

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International Journal of Physical Education, Sports and Health
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23
P-ISSN: 2394-1685
E-ISSN: 2394-1693
Impact Factor (RJIF): 5.38
IJPESH 2023; 10(3): 17-23
© 2023 IJPESH
www.kheljournal.com
Received: 27-03-2023
Accepted: 29-04-2023
Pindika Prabhu Jeevan Kumar
Physiotherapy College of
Physiotherapy, Moodibidri,
Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka,
India
Vishnu Malayil
Physiotherapy, Alvas College of
Physiotherapy, Moodibidri,
Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka,
India
Manjunath
Physiotherapy, Alvas College of
Physiotherapy, Moodibidri,
Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka,
India
Corresponding Author:
Pindika Prabhu Jeevan Kumar
College of
Physiotherapy, Moodibidri,
Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka,
India
Effectiveness of plyometric training on agility in male
collegiate foot-ball players, an experimental study
Pindika Prabhu Jeevan Kumar, Vishnu Malayil and Manjunath
DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/kheljournal.2023.v10.i3a.2919
Abstract
Background: The study aimed to evaluate effectiveness of plyometric training program on agility in
collegiate football players.
Objective: To measure the effect of 4 weeks of plyometric training on speed of running in collegiate
football players.
Methodology: This experiment study was carried out using Agility t-test in football players. A total of
20 samples aged between 19-22 years were included in the study. The plyometric training program was
given to the football players. The protocol was of four weeks which consisted six sessions per week.
Results: When plyometric training was given to the collegiate football players the result showed Mean of
time duration before plyometric training was 10.94 with standard deviation of 1.360 and post plyometric
training mean was 10.25 with standard deviation of 1.007. The mean difference which was calculated as
0.6933. Paired t-test was used to analyse the data with p value 0.003, which is considered as extremely
significant. Hence plyometric training improve agility in football players.
Conclusion: From the above study we can conclude that plyometric training is helpful in improving
agility in football players. So, these training methods are recommended to collegiate football players for
improving speed and skilled performances.
Keywords: Plyometric training, football players, agility
1. Introduction
Plyometric training is popular among individuals involve in dynamic sports and plyometric
exercises such as jumping, hopping, skipping and bounding are executed with a goal to
increase dynamic muscular performance. Plyometric are techniques used by the athletes in all
types of sports to increase strength and explosiveness plyometrics consists of rapid stretching
of muscle followed by a concentric or shortening action of the same muscle and connective
tissue. The stored elastic energy within the muscle is used to produce more force than can be
provided by a concentric action alone. Plyometric training when used with a periodized
strength training program can contribute to improvement in vertical jump performance,
acceleration, leg strength, muscular power, increased joint awareness and overall
proprioception [1].
Plyometrics drills usually involved stopping, starting and changing directions in an explosive
manner these movements are components that can assist in developing agility. By enhancing
balance and control of body positions during movement agility theoretically should improve.
Plyometric training program for pubescent athletes should be introduced into warm ups then
added to sport specific skills. When designing the program an effective program accomplishes
specific goals through manipulation of four variables; intensity, volume, frequency, and
recovery [2].
The ability to maintain and control correct body position while quickly changing direction
through a series of movement is called agility. Agility is very important when it comes to a
sports player, they use in the opposition but it also helps in preventing injuries optimal
activation and inhibition of muscle fibres can prevent muscle tears and even more prevent the
joins from injuries [3].

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Agility is a complex quality and in recognizing this it has
been stated that agility permits an athlete to react to a stimulus
start quickly and efficiently move in the correct direction or
stop quickly to make a play in a fast smooth efficient and
repeatable manner.
Agility has classically been defined as simply the agility to
change direction rapidly and accurately some authors have
defined agility to include whole body change of direction as
well as rapid movement and direction change of limbs.
Agility may be classified as simple temporal spatial and
universal skills [4].
2. Materials and methodology
Study design: An experimental study.
Sample population: Football players.
Sample size: 30.
Sample collection: Continent method.
Independent variable: Plyometric exercises.
Dependent variable: Agility t test.
Inclusion criteria: Males (19-22 age).
Willing to participate in study.
Regular Football Players.
Exclusion Criteria: Recent Injury, Trauma.
Non-Regular Players.
Not willing to participate.
Ligament Reconstruction.
Materials Required: Stop Watch.
Measuring Tape.
Cones.
Pen.
Consent form.
This was an experimental study with convenient sampling
method consists of 20 young collegiate football players. This
of physiotherapy Campus, moundbird, Mangalore. Duration
of this study was 4 weeks. The study Included male collegiate
football players with Age group between 19-22 years. Any
musculoskeletal injuries, cardiopulmonary or neurological
disorders which may not permit the player to perform the
running tests were excluded from this study [8].
3. Procedures
The study is designed as a pre and post interventions,
where the measurement of the agility before training and
after training has been done.
T-agility test.
4 cones in the form of T placed (5 yards = 4.57m, 10 yards =
9.14m) the subject stand at cone A, on getting command of
the timer the subject run to cone B, and touched the base of
cone with their right hand. They then turned left and shuffle
sideways to cone C and also touched its base this time with
their left hand. Then shuffling sideways to the right to cone D
and touching the base with the right hand they then shuffled
back to cone B touched with the left hand and run backwards
to cone A. the stop watch was stopped as they pass cone A [5,
6].

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Plyometric training program
3.1) Single arm alternate bound: Intensity level medium
Direction of jump: horizontal and vertical
Starting position: Get into comfortable, upright stance with
feet shoulder width apart.
Arm action: Single arm.
Preparatory movement: Jog at comfortable pace, begin drill
with the left foot forward.
Upward movement: push off with the left foot as it constants
the ground. During push off bring right leg forward the thigh
to a position approximately parallel with the ground and the
knee at 90 degrees. During this flight phase of the drill reach
forward with the left arm.
Downward movement: land on the right leg and immediately
repeat the sequence on the opposite side upon landing.
Note. A bound is an exaggeration of the running gait; the goal
is to cover as great a distance as possible during each stride.
3.2) Double arm alternate leg bound
Intensity level: Medium.
Direction of jump: Horizontal and vertical.
Starting position: Get into comfortable, upright stance with
feet shoulder width apart.
Arm action: Double arm.
Preparatory movement: Jog at comfortable pace, begin drill
with the left foot forward.
Upward movement: push off with the left foot as it constants
the ground. During push off bring right leg forward the thigh
to a position approximately parallel with the ground and the
knee at 90 degrees. During this flight phase of the drill reach
forward with both arms.
Downward movement: land on the right leg and immediately
repeat the sequence on the opposite side upon landing.
Note. A bound is an exaggeration of the running gait; the goal
is to cover as great a distance as possible during each stride.
3.3 Backward Skip
Intensity level: Low
Direction of Jump: Backward, horizontal and vertical.
Starting Position: One leg is lifting to approximately 90
degrees of the hip and knee flexion.
Arm Action: double arm.
Preparatory movement: Begin with a countermovement on
the leg.
Upward Movement: Jump backward with one leg and flex
the hip and knee of the nonskipping leg to approximately 90
degrees, both arms should be used to assist with the
movement.
Downward Movement: land in the starting position on the
same leg. Immediately repeat the skip with the opposite leg.
3.3) Side Skip
Intensity level: Medium
Direction of Jump: Vertical and lateral
Starting position: One leg is lifted to approximately 90
degrees of hip and knee flexion.
Arm action: Reciprocal (as one leg is lifted, the opposite site
is lifted)
Preparatory Movement: begin with a countermovement on
one leg.
Upward Movement: jump up and laterally on one leg. The
opposite leg should remain in the starting flexed position until
landing.
Downward movement: land in the starting position on the
same leg. Immediately repeat the skip with the opposite leg.
3.4) Skip
Intensity level: Low
Direction of jump: Horizontal and vertical
Starting position: One leg is lifted to approximately 90
degrees of hip and knee flexion.
Arm Action: reciprocal (as one leg is lifted, the opposite site
arm is lifted).
Preparatory Movement: Begin with a countermovement on
one leg.
Upward movement: Jump up and forward on one leg. The
opposite leg should remain in the starting flexed position until
landing.
Downward Movement: land in the starting position on the
same leg, immediately repeat the skip with the opposite leg.
3.5) Power Skip
Intensity level: Low.
Direction of Jump: vertical and horizontal.
Starting Position: one leg is lifted to approximately 90
degrees of hip and knee flexion.
Arm action: Double arm.
Preparatory Movement: begin with a counter movement on
one leg.
Upward Movement: Jump up and forward on one leg, move
the flexed, non-jumping leg up and into greater hip and knee
flexion while jumping. Both arms should be used to assist
with the upward movement.
Downward Movement: land in the starting position on the
same leg. Immediately repeat the skip with the opposite leg.
Note: Emphasis is on the effectiveness of the skip.
Training Sessions
Plyometric training program given 6 days a week for 4
conservative weeks, each session began with general warm up
of 5 minutes and consisted 5 exercises. The total duration of
training session was 50 minutes
4. Data Analysis
Table 1: Age wise Distribution of samples;
Age 19 to 20 20 to 22
No. of participants 14(33%) 6(33%)
Fig 1: Age wise distribution of samples.
Table 2: Effect of plyometric training on agility
Agility t test Mean SD P Value
Pre 10.94 1.360 0.0003
Post 10.25 1.007

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Fig 2: Effect of plyometric training on agility
5. Discussion
The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of
plyometric training of agility in football players. The age of
the participants included in this study was 19-22 years. All
males football players were included in this study. In this
study total 20 football players were selected in which all male
football players were included aged 19-20, 6(26.66%) and
aged 20-22, 14(73.33%), which showed improvement in
agility. The improvement in agility was tested in terms of
time duration the players took to complete the agility t-test,
5.1 The agility was measure pre and post
After analysis of the data there was significant difference in
pre and post training time duration. The plyometric training
program was for 4 weeks.
According to Rodrigo Ramirez Campillo, et al. (2015) [13],
plyometric training on maximal intensity exercise and
endurance performance were compared between each sample.
Intervention induced higher maximal intensity exercise and
endurance performance improvements compare to training
and the improvement induced by plyometric training were not
affected by age in practical terms should not be seen a special
concern while applying plyometric training in adult football
players at least when the target is improving specific physical
performance therefore there is huge significance among each
football players with similar competitive for plyometric
training [13]. In this study only collegiate football players were
included.
Mean of time duration before plyometric training was 10.94
with standard deviation of 1.360 and post plyometric training
mean was 10.25 with standard deviation of 1.007. The mean
difference which was calculated as 0.6933.
Paired t-test was used to analyse the data with p value 0.003,
which is considered as extremely significant. Measuring
agility could be more specific in the evaluation of the physical
status of the football players as acceleration and deceleration,
sudden stops and direction changes occur frequently during
games.
6. Result
After analysis of the data there was significant difference in
pre and post training time duration. The plyometric training
program shows improvement in agility in football players.

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Fig 3: Single arm alternate bound
Fig 4: Double arm alternate bound
Fig 5: Backward Skip

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International Journal of Physical Education, Sports and Health https://www.kheljournal.com
Fig 6: Side Skip
Fig 7: Skip Fig 8: Power Skip
Fig 9: Outcome Measure: The agility of the subject was assessed by a 9*4 T-Test. [7]

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7. Conclusion
From the above study we can conclude that plyometric
training is helpful in improving agility in collegiate
football players.
So, these training methods are recommended to collegiate
football players for improving speed and skilled
performances.
8. Financial disclosure
There is no financial disclosure present for the present study.
9. Acknowledgement
The lead researcher would like to acknowledge the support
and mentorship provided by the research team and to the
participants.
10. Conflict of Interest
We wish to confirm that there are no known conflicts of
interest associated with this publication and there has been no
significant financial support for this work that could have
influenced its outcome.
We confirm that the manuscript has been read and approved
by all named authors and that there are no other persons who
satisfied the criteria for authorship but are not listed. We
further confirm that the order of authors listed in the
manuscript has been approved by all of us.
We confirm that we have given due consideration to the
protection of intellectual property associated with this work
and that there are no impediments to publication, including
the timing of publication, with respect to intellectual property.
In so doing we confirm that we have followed the regulations
of our institutions concerning intellectual property.
We understand that the Corresponding Author is the sole
contact for the Editorial process (including Editorial Manager
and direct communications with the office). He/she is
responsible for communicating with the other authors about
progress, submissions of revisions and final approval of
proofs.
We confirm that we have provided a current, correct email
address which is accessible by the Corresponding Author and
which has been configured to accept email from
(prabhujeevanpindika@gmail.com)
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