Effects of plyometric training on soccer related physical fitness variables of intercollegiate female soccer players

Plyometric training is an important training program in improving physical fitness and soccer skills of players. The study was conducted to find out the effects of plyometric training on soccer related physical fitness variables of Haramaya University intercollegiate female soccer players. For this study forty female (age, 20±1.5 years; height, 1.61±0.7 m; BMI, 20.41±0.7Kg/cm2) soccer players were selected through purposive sampling. Experimental group (n= 20) participants were engaged in a supervised plyometric training program 3 days/week for 12 weeks. The control group (n= 20) did not participate in any of the program except regular soccer training however, the tests were conducted for them. The physical fitness and soccer skill variables selected for the study were: Speed, Explosive power, Agility, Dribbling, Kicking Right and Left Feet. Tests were taken three times at pre training, during training and post training. Comparison of mean was done by paired t-test. The results obtained in this study indicated that there was significant improvement in selected physical fitness and soccer skill variables due to the effects of plyometric training. After 12 weeks of plyometric training participant’s speed (0.78 m/sec.), agility (2.64 sec), and explosive power (7.85 cm) were changed significantly (p<0.05). Participant’s dribbling soccer skill (1.92 sec.), kicking right foot for distance (2.19 m) and kicking left foot for distance (2.91 m) were significantly improved through plyometric training. This study proved that plyometric training was significantly better in improving the physical fitness variables and soccer skills of female soccer players.