The Effect of Plyometric Exercises on Physical Fitness and Technical Skills of Football Players

Asim Abdul Rehman; Waqar Ahmed Awan; Mahrang Buzdar; Shivam Sachdev; Ibtahaj ul Islam; Mohsin Ali Hassni; Noor Nabi Qureshi

doi:10.61919/jhrr.v4i2.928

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Published: May 31, 2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.61919/jhrr.v4i2.928

Keywords:

Plyometric training, football fitness, explosive strength, agility, technical skills

Asim Abdul Rehman

Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Institute of Cardiology Quetta Pakistan.

Waqar Ahmed Awan

Riphah International University - Islamabad Pakistan.

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8625-915X

Mahrang Buzdar

Bolan University of Medical Health Sciences Quetta Pakistan.

Shivam Sachdev

Ask an occupational therapist (AOT) Special Education Services Islamabad Pakistan.

Ibtahaj ul Islam

University of Balochistan Quetta Pakistan.

Mohsin Ali Hassni

University of Balochistan Quetta Pakistan.

Noor Nabi Qureshi

Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Institute of Cardiology Quetta Pakistan.

Abstract

Background: Football is a physically demanding sport requiring players to possess a balance of strength, endurance, agility, and speed. Plyometric exercises have gained popularity among football players due to their potential to enhance explosive strength and speed, crucial for successful performance on the field.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of plyometric exercises on the technical and physical skill sets of football players in Quetta, Balochistan.

Methods: A randomized, triple-blinded clinical trial was conducted involving 32 football players who were randomly assigned to either a plyometric training group or a conventional training group. Both groups participated in upper and lower body exercises over an eight-week period. Data collection included assessments at baseline, 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 8th weeks of the intervention. Physical fitness was evaluated using tests such as the vertical jump, 505 agility, and three-hop test, while technical skills were assessed using head juggling, figure 8 dribbling, controlled speed dribbling, power shooting, and pass and receiving tests. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25, employing one-way and mixed ANOVA to analyze the interaction and main effects.

Results: The mean age of players in the plyometric group was 25.31 ± 5.05 years, and in the conventional group, it was 24.68 ± 4.81 years. The plyometric group showed significant improvements in all physical and technical tests compared to the conventional group. Specifically, the vertical jump improved from 18.33 ± 1.03 cm at baseline to 29.00 ± 2.21 cm at the 8th week (F=123.1, p<0.001) in the plyometric group, while the conventional group improved from 18.31 ± 2.44 cm to 25.56 ± 1.68 cm (F=75.90, p<0.001). Similar trends were observed in agility, dribbling, and power shooting tests, where the plyometric group outperformed the conventional group significantly.

Conclusion: Plyometric exercises significantly improved the technical and physical skills of football players. These exercises enhance explosive power, speed, agility, and coordination, all of which are essential for football performance. Incorporating plyometric training into regular practice sessions is recommended for optimizing player performance.

How to Cite

Rehman, A. A., Awan, W. A., Mahrang Buzdar, Shivam Sachdev, Ibtahaj ul Islam, Hassni, M. A., & Noor Nabi Qureshi. (2024). The Effect of Plyometric Exercises on Physical Fitness and Technical Skills of Football Players. Journal of Health and Rehabilitation Research, 4(2), 1083–1089. https://doi.org/10.61919/jhrr.v4i2.928

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 2 (2024): Volume 4, Issue 2 - April to June 2024

Section

Articles

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Author Biographies

Asim Abdul Rehman, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Institute of Cardiology Quetta Pakistan.

Department of Physiotherapy, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Institute of Cardiology, Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan.

Waqar Ahmed Awan, Riphah International University - Islamabad Pakistan.

Head of FRAHS, Riphah College of Rehabilitation and Allied Health Sciences, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan.

Mahrang Buzdar, Bolan University of Medical Health Sciences Quetta Pakistan.

Lecturer, Physiotherapy Department, Bolan Medical Complex, Bolan University of Medical Health Sciences, Quetta, Pakistan.

Shivam Sachdev, Ask an occupational therapist (AOT) Special Education Services Islamabad Pakistan.

Head of Physiotherapy Department, Ask an occupational therapist (AOT), Special Education Services, Islamabad, Pakistan.

Ibtahaj ul Islam, University of Balochistan Quetta Pakistan.

Lecturer, Faculty of Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences, University of Balochistan, Quetta, Pakistan.

Mohsin Ali Hassni, University of Balochistan Quetta Pakistan.

Center of Advanced Studies in Vaccinology & Biotechnology CASVAB, University of Balochistan Quetta, Pakistan.

Noor Nabi Qureshi, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Institute of Cardiology Quetta Pakistan.

Medical Officer, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Institute of Cardiology, Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan.

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