Effects of plyometric training on heading jump performance and motion in collegiate soccer players

This study aimed to determine the effects of plyometric training (PT) on heading jump performance and motion in collegiate soccer players. Seventeen male soccer players belonging to the university soccer club were included in the study. The subjects were divided into PT (n = 8) and control (n = 9) groups. The PT group performed PT twice a week for 7 weeks. Before and after the intervention period (pre- and postintervention), vertical jump, heading jump in place, heading jump with a run-up, and rebound jump (RJ) were measured. Jump motions were analyzed using 3D motion analysis. Significant interactions were detected between height of the vertical jump, heading jump in place, heading jump with a run-up, and RJ index (p < 0.05), and these values after the intervention period (post) were significantly higher in the PT group compared with the values before the intervention (pre). The rate of change in the PT group was 10.0% for the height of the heading jump in place and 11.9% for the heading jump with a run-up. Although no significant differences were observed in most jump motion variables, the hip joint flexion angles in the starting phase for vertical jump and heading jump in place were lower after the intervention compared with before the intervention (p < 0.05). Our results indicate that sinking before jumps increased and recoil motion was used. PT improved height of the heading jump in soccer players and may be useful for improving performance during games in soccer games.