Effects of a Plyometric Training Program With and Without Added Load on Jumping Ability in Basketball Players

Khlifa, R, Aouadi, R, Hermassi, S, Chelly, MS, Jlid, MC, Hbacha, H, and Castagna, C. Effects of a plyometric training program with and without added load on jumping ability in basketball players. J Strength Cond Res 24(11): 2955-2961, 2010-The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effect of a standard plyometric training protocol with or without added load in improving vertical jumping ability in male basketball players. Twenty-seven players were randomly assigned to 3 groups: a control group (no plyometric training), plyometric training group (PG), and loaded plyometric group (LPG, weighted vests 10-11% body mass). Before and after the 10-week training program, all the players were tested for the 5-jump test (5JT), the squat jump (SJ), and the countermovement jump (CMJ). The PG and LPG groups performed 2 and 3 training sessions per week, during the first 3 and the last 7 weeks, respectively. The results showed that SJ, CMJ, and 5JT were significantly improved only in the PG and LPG groups. The best effects for jumps were observed in LPG (p < 0.01), which showed significantly higher gains than the PG (p < 0.05). In conclusion, it appears that loads added to standard plyometric training program may result in greater vertical and horizontal-jump performances in basketball players.