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THE EFFECT OF PLYOMETRIC TRAINING ON MUSCLE ACTIVATION OF QUADRICEPS AND HAMSTRINGS IN FEMALE ATHLETES

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a 6-week plyometric training intervention on magnitude of muscle activation of the quadriceps and hamstrings in female collegiate athletes. METHODS: 10 female participants, aged 18-22, all members of a women’s college basketball team, participated in this study. Prior to any testing, participants underwent a familiarization training session where 5-8 jump landing tasks were performed. Electromyography (EMG) was used to record magnitude of muscle activation for both the right and left vastus lateralis, (VL), vastus medialis (VM), biceps femoris (BF), and semitendinosus (SEM), during a jump landing task from a plyometric box 63 cm in height, prior to and following the 6-week training intervention. During the 6-week training intervention, participants engaged in approximately 15 minutes of single and double-leg plyometric exercise, three days per week. Changes in magnitude of muscle activation for the right VL, VM, BF, SEM and left VL, VM, BF, SEM were analyzed using paired T-tests with a significance value set at p<.05. RESULTS: No statistically significant increases (p>.05) in magnitude of muscle activation were seen across any of the muscles (right VL, VM, BF, SEM; left VL, VM, BF, SEM) following the 6-week plyometric training intervention. However, increases in magnitude of muscle activation were seen in the following: left VM (887.46 ± 423.637) increase of 16.6%, left BF (434.3 ± 157.682) increase of 12.3%, and left SEM (543.29 ± 217.057) increase of 28.5%. CONCLUSION: Results from the EMG data suggest that a 6-week plyometric training intervention may not induce statistically significant increases in magnitude of muscle activation in female collegiate athletes. 90% of the participants identified their right leg as the dominant leg, and increases in magnitude of muscle activation were seen in the left VM, BF, and SEM, suggesting the non-dominant leg may benefit most from plyometric training.

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