Effect of a Five-Week Plyometric Training Programme on Vertical Jump Performance among Male Athletes of Guru Kashi Defence Academy, Bathinda

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a five-week plyometric training regimen on the vertical jump performance of male athletes. A total of 20 male participants, aged 18 to 22 years, from the Guru Kashi Defence Academy in Bathinda, Punjab, were recruited through purposive sampling. The research employed a single-group pre-test and post-test experimental design. Vertical jump performance, which serves as an indicator of lower-body explosive power, was quantified using the Sargent Vertical Jump Test (Wall Reach Method). The participants engaged in a meticulously structured plyometric training programme, spanning five weeks, with sessions conducted three to four days per week, all under the direct supervision of the researcher. To analyse the data, descriptive statistics were computed, including mean and standard deviation. A paired-samples t-test was applied to assess the significance of the differences between pre-test and post-test scores at an alpha level of 0.05. The results demonstrated a statistically significant enhancement in vertical jump performance post-intervention. Specifically, the mean vertical jump height increased from 46.40 ± 1.50 cm during the pre-test to 52.95 ± 1.79 cm in the post-test, reflecting an average improvement of 6.55 cm. The paired-samples t-test yielded a significant difference between the two assessments (t = 57.39, p < .001). These findings substantiate that plyometric training considerably improves explosive leg power, neuromuscular coordination, and vertical jump performance in male athletes. Consequently, the integration of plyometric exercises is recommended as a crucial component in conditioning programmes for athletes and individuals aspiring for a career in defence services who aim to enhance lower-body power and overall athletic performance.