Date of Award

Spring 2004

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Education (MSEd)

Department

Human Movement Sciences

Program/Concentration

Athletic Training

Committee Director

Bonnie Van Lunen

Committee Member

Martha Walker

Committee Member

William Romani

Call Number for Print

Special Collections LD4331.E44 M33 2004

Abstract

Several investigations have noted altered kinetic and neuromuscular landing patterns in adolescent female athletes following various plyometrics programs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a time-limited plyometrics training program on neuromuscular responses and peak vertical ground reaction force (PVGRF) in Division I collegiate soccer players. Sixteen (8 male, age=l9.38 ± 1.4 yrs, ht= 178.44 ± 8.99 cm, mass =80.38 ± 8.37 kg; 8 female, age=19.75 ± 0.71 yrs, ht=163.83 ± 4.30 cm, mass =62.13 ± 6.29 kg) athletes completed the testing protocol and plyometric training. Seven (3 male, average age=22.00 ± 1.00 yrs, average height=171.88 ± 1.47 cm, average mass=72.00 ± 3.61 kg; 4 female, average age=23.00 ± 1.41 yrs, average height=l63.20 ± 8.39 in, average mass= 61.13 + 12.10 kg) recreational athletes formed a control group. Data were collected using surface electromyography and an AMTI force plate. Surface electrodes were applied to the vastus medialis oblique (VMO), vastus lateralis (VL), semimembranosus (SM), and biceps femoris (BF) and they performed three drop jumps from a height of 50 centimeters, landing with both feet on one force plate. During the following 10 weeks, subjects completed a time-limited plyometric training program (1x week) designed and supervised by the university strength and conditioning specialist. Comparisons were made between testing sessions, as well as between gender using analyses of variance and analyses of covariance. Main effects were found for session in onset times for the VMO and VL, as well as peak time of the VMO. All times significantly increased from pre-test to post-test indicating a delay in quadriceps muscle activation as compared to baseline testing for both groups. No significant differences were found for PVGRF. An off-season collegiate training program consisting of plyometrics once a week may be effective in changing muscle activation patterns in collegiate soccer players, yet was not effective in decreasing PVGRF. Future research is needed to evaluate the efficacy of increased frequency of plyometrics training and its effects on a similar population.

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DOI

10.25777/rq7h-2d34

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