Effects of Plyometric Training on Selected Fitness Variables of U-17 Male Football Project Players in Botor tollay, Jimma Zone, Oromia region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Football is one of the most popular ball games which is widely played and followed by a high number of supporters all over the world at a professional level. In modern soccer, physical fitness is one of the most important factors in indicating success for soccer players. Objective: The main purpose of the study was to assess the effect of plyometric training on selected fitness variables in case of Tollay U-17 males football project players. Methods: To achieve the objective of this study, the researcher used quantitative research method. In addition, experimental research design was employed. For this study, 30 football male project players were selected as a target population of the study. The subjects were selected purposively and assigned in to two equal experimental group (15) and control groups (15) simple random-lottery sampling technique. The experimental group participated in plyometric training program 3 days/week for 12 weeks. However, the control group didn’t participate in training program designed for this study, but tests were conducted for both groups. The ages of the study participant ranged 15-16. The fitness variables: Strength, Power, speed and agility were tested in the study. The difference between measurements analyzed was Statically by SPSS software (version 23) was used for analysis. Mean, Standard deviation, paired-samples T test were employed to analyze the collected data. With The significant level of p≤0.05 was considered. Results: The result shows after the twelve week plyometric training intervention significant mean change was found Agility (-4.05133 at p=0.001), Power (9.600 at p=0.001), Strength (53.68467at p=0.001) and Speed (-1.04133p=0.001)). Conclusion: The intervention of the plyometric exercises training for twelve week brought significant improvement on strength, power, agility and speed. As recommendation the coaches incorporate plyometric exercise in their training program, it helps the players to improve their strength, agility, power and speed performance.