Lower-Limb Plyometric Training Improves Vertical Jump and Agility Abilities in Adult Female Soccer Players

Plyometric training has been shown to be an effective method for improving jump performance capabilities, , agility and sprint ability. However, the results obtained in female soccer players are scarce and . Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine how explosive strength and agility are affected a 12-week plyometric training program in elite female soccer players. Twenty-eight adult female players randomly assigned into 2 groups: control group (CG, n = 14, age 26.7 ± 5.3 years) and plyometric group (PG, n = 14; age 26.5 ± 6.9 years). The intervention was performed during the second part of the competitive . Both groups performed technical and tactical training exercises and matches together. However, the CG the regular soccer physical conditioning program, which was replaced by a plyometric program for . Neither CG nor PG performed weight training. Plyometric training was carried out 3 days a week for 12 including jumps over hurdles, drop jumps in stands, or horizontal jumps. At baseline and after training participants were tested on the countermovementjump height (cm)and agility T-test time (s).The PG group significantly (p< 0.001) improvement than CG in the countermovementjump (3.1 ± 2.4 vs. 0.6 ± 1.2 ) and T-test (-0.2 ± 0.2 vs. 0.0 ± 0.2 s) following training.Our findings highlight that plyometric training can explosive strength in female soccer players, and, most importantly, these improvements concern the ability and sprinting speed with direction changes, power-related components of soccer thought to be for success. We strongly recommend that soccer coaches implement in-season plyometric training enhance the performance of their players.