EFFECTS OF A STRUCTURED PLYOMETRIC TRAINING PROGRAM ON SPEED, AGILITY, EXPLOSIVE POWER, AND HOCKEY-SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE IN COMPETITIVE HOCKEY PLAYERS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Abstract

Field hockey needs a combination of speed, agility, explosive power, and specific sport movements in order to achieve success in competitive performances. Plyometric exercises have been shown to have positive effects on enhancing explosiveness of athletes, but their combined effects on physical and sport-specific performance of competitive hockey players need to be investigated further. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an 8-week plyometric training program on speed, agility, explosive power, and sport-specific performance of competitive hockey players. Thirty-six competitive male field hockey players in the age range of 18-25 years were randomly divided into two groups, namely Plyometric Training Group (PTG; n=18) and Control Group (CG; n=18). PTG underwent an 8-week structured plyometric training program three days per week together with hockey training while CG maintained their normal hockey training only. Performance of participants was assessed before and after the training program through 20-m sprint, 505 Change of Direction Test, Countermovement Jump, and Hockey-Specific Performance Test. The PTG showed significantly better results compared to the CG in terms of speed, agility, explosive strength, and specific hockey skills. The differences between groups were in favor of the PTG on all parameters with moderate-large effect size values and statistical significance (p < 0.001). Thus, an 8-week systematic program of plyometric training positively impacted a number of performance factors in competitive field hockey players. It can be concluded that plyometric training is to be included in the programs of competitive hockey players.