The effects of jump training on measures of physical performance, lower extremities injury incidence and burden in highly trained male soccer players

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to analyse the effects of a 16-week jump training program on the physical performance and lower extremities injury profile in semi-professional male soccer players. Participants were randomly assigned to the control group (CG; n = 13; age = 21.7 ± 3.6 years) or the experimental group (EG; n = 10; age = 22.3 ± 3.5 years). Countermovement jump (CMJ) height (cm), 30 m linear sprint time (s) with split times at 10 m and 20 m distances, and change of direction speed (CODS; 10 + 10 m with 90° turn) time (s) with turns using the dominant or non-dominant leg, were assessed before and after the intervention. Lower extremity injuries sustained throughout the intervention period were collected. Significant within-group improvements were found in EG in CMJ (p = 0.01; effect size [ES] = 1.03; large). Additionally, between-group difference after intervention was found in CMJ (F = 4.42; p = 0.013) in favour of EG. Injury burden was 194.86 (CG) vs 71.37 (EG) days of absence/1,000 h (RR = 2.73; 95% CI 2.10–3.54; p < 0.001). No other significant within-group or between-group differences were found. In conclusion, compared to regular soccer training, jump training was effective to improve jumping ability and burden in soccer players.

KEYWORDS:

• Plyometric exercise
• resistance training
• human physical conditioning
• exercise therapy
• athletic injuries
• team sports

Acknowledgments

We express our gratitude to all soccer players for their willingness to participate in this study. We also thank the unconditional collaboration of the Club Deportivo Móstoles URJC to accomplish this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.