•  
  •  
 

A COMPARISON OF LAND AND AQUATIC-BASED PLYOMETRIC TRAINING ON VERTICAL JUMP PERFORMANCE IN DIVISION III COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYERS

Abstract

b.J. Funk, M.W. Smythe and G.L. Killgore

Linfield College, McMinnville, OR

Plyometric training is used to increase strength and explosiveness and traditionally has been accomplished through land-based (LB) programs. However, recently, aquatic-based (AB) plyometrics have been studied but typically without the use of specialized training gear. PURPOSE: To compare power production through the vertical jump between two groups of male college athletes after administering an AB plyometric program while wearing specialized aquatic training gear and a traditional LB plyometric program. METHODS: 21 Division III football players completed this investigation who were randomly divided into two groups: AB and LB. Each group completed a pre-test and post-test to assess vertical jump (VJ) using a VerTec. The subjects participated in the study 2x/wk. for 3.5 weeks using identical warm-up routines and plyometric programs. They were also instructed to continue their regular football strength and conditioning program. RESULTS: A pretest on the VJ was administered prior to the first week of the program with the post-test at the conclusion of the fourth week. A repeated measures ANOVA was used to determine that there were no statistically significant differences between groups (p<.357). The within groups (pre to post) results indicated that the VJ values exhibited no change (p<.1.000) (AB: pre 54.0cm±4.7 and post 54.0±5.9; LB: pre 51.6±6.9 and post 51.6±7.2). CONCLUSION: These data revealed that using aquatic training gear during AB plyometric training produced comparable results to those found on land, but made no statistically significant difference. The results are similar to those reported in the literature.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS