AUTHOR=Ojeda-Aravena Alex , Azócar-Gallardo Jairo , Campos-Uribe Victor , Báez-San Martín Eduardo , Aedo-Muñoz Esteban Ariel , Herrera-Valenzuela Tomás 

TITLE=Effects of plyometric training on softer vs. Harder surfaces on jump-related performance in rugby sevens players

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Physiology

VOLUME=13

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2022.941675

DOI=10.3389/fphys.2022.941675

ISSN=1664-042X

ABSTRACT=<p>This study aimed to compare jump-related performance after plyometric training on harder vs. softer surfaces in rugby sevens players. Fourteen players were randomly assigned to the harder surface group (H-G, <italic>n</italic> = 7) and softer surface group (S-G, <italic>n</italic> = 7). Three times per week, in the morning, the players performed plyometric training on different surfaces and strength training. Before and after the 4-week intervention period, squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), and CMJ with arms (CMJA) tests were performed to measure vertical jump displacement (d), rate of force development (r), and power (p). The main results indicated a significant improvement in S-G for CMJd (∆% = +8.2%; <italic>p</italic> = 0.029; ES = 0.59) and for CMJAp (∆% = +8.7%; <italic>p</italic> = 0.035; ES = 0.44). These improvements were significant compared to H-G for CMJAd (F<sub>1,12</sub> = 8.50; <italic>p</italic> = 0.013; <inline-formula id="inf1"><mml:math id="m2" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mrow><mml:msubsup><mml:mo>η</mml:mo><mml:mi mathvariant="normal">p</mml:mi><mml:mn>2</mml:mn></mml:msubsup></mml:mrow></mml:math></inline-formula> = 0.41; ES = 0.83) and CMJAp (F<sub>1,12</sub> = 7.69; <italic>p</italic> = 0.017; <inline-formula id="inf2"><mml:math id="m3" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mrow><mml:msubsup><mml:mo>η</mml:mo><mml:mi mathvariant="normal">p</mml:mi><mml:mn>2</mml:mn></mml:msubsup></mml:mrow></mml:math></inline-formula> = 0.39; ES = 0.79). This study reveals that performance related to the counter movement jump with arms on softer surfaces after 4-week plyometric training improved vertical jump displacement and lower body power in rugby sevens players.</p>