Combined Plyometric and Short Sprint Training in U-15 Male Soccer Players: Effects on Measures of Jump, Speed, Change of Direction, Repeated Sprint, and Balance

This study examined the effect of 8 weeks of biweekly combined plyometric and short sprint training into the typical within-season training schedule of youth male soccer players. Participants were allocated at random to an experimental group (EG; n = 17, age: 14.6 +/- 0.5 years, body mass: 60.5 +/- 7.1 kg, height: 1.64 +/- 0.08 m, body fat: 11.3 +/- 1.4%) and a control group (CG; n = 17, age: 14.6 +/- 0.4 years, body mass: 61.0 +/- 3.9 kg, height: 1.67 +/- 0.05 m, body fat: 11.8 +/- 1.4%). Measures obtained pre- and post-intervention included vertical and horizontal jump performances (i.e., squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump with aimed arms (CMJA), and five-jump test (FJT)) and sprint performances (i.e., 10 and 30 m sprint). In addition, change-of-direction ability (sprint with 90 degrees Turns (S90 degrees) and sprint 9-3-6-3-9 m with backward and forward running (SBF)), repeated shuttle sprint ability (RSSA), and dynamic balance performance (Y balance test) were measured pre- and post-intervention. The EG experienced higher jump (all p < 0.05; d >= 0.71), sprint (all p < 0.05; d >= 0.64), change-of-direction ability (all p < 0.05; d >= 0.66), RSSA (all parameters except the fatigue index p < 0.01; d >= 0.71), and dynamic balance (all p <= 0.05; d >= 0.50) improvement compared to the CG. Adding biweekly combined plyometric and short sprint training to standard training improves the athletic performance of youth male soccer players (under 15 (U15)).

Automated summary

This study examined the impact of 8 weeks of biweekly combined plyometric and short sprint training on the performance of youth male soccer players. The results showed that the experimental group demonstrated significant improvements in jump, sprint, change-of-direction ability, repeated shuttle sprint ability, and dynamic balance compared to the control group.