Effect of an 8-Week Plyometric Training Program on Vertical Jump Performance Among College Volleyball Players

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of an 8-week plyometric training program on the vertical jump performance of college volleyball players. Twenty (N = 20) volleyball players from different departments of CGC University, Mohali, Punjab participated in the study with an age range 17 - 23 years. A one group pre-test-post-test experimental design was employed. Vertical jump was assessed utilizing Sargent jump test before and after the 8-weeks of intervention comprising of plyometric training (squat jump, tuck jump, depth jump, box jump and bounding drills) 3 sessions a week. Descriptive statistics (mean, s.d.) and paired-samples t-tests were used to analyse the data. Results showed a statistically significant improvement in vertical jump height from pre-test (M = 45.95 cm, SD = 4.13) to post-test (M = 50.80 cm, SD = 4.62), t (19) = 16.64, p < 0.001, representing a mean gain of 4.85 cm (10.55% improvement). The results suggest that a volleyball conditioning program should include structured plyometric training to develop explosive power of lower-limb and jumping performance.