The effect of a plyometric training programme on selected physical capacities of rugby players

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of a six-week plyometrictraining programme on the explosive power, speed and agility as well as certainphysiological characteristics and the physical fitness of rugby players. Thirty subjects,that include the first and second rugby teams of the Paul Roos Gymnasium participated inthe study. After a thorough evaluation of their medical history, their health status wasconfirmed as being 'apparently healthy and fit for participation in the project.The subjects were divided into two groups. The experimental group followed a speciallydesigned plyometric training programme in addition to their conventional rugby training,while the control group persisted with the conventional rugby training for the season.Body fat percentage was measured and specific girth measurements were taken to assessphysiological changes. Cardiovascular fitness was evaluated by means of the threeminutestep test and muscle endurance by means of the push-up and sit-up tests in orderto assess the physical fitness of the subjects. The explosive power, speed and agility ofthe subjects were assessed by means of the agility test [T-drill], ten-meter speed test,Sargent vertical jump test, depth jump test, standing triple jump and the medicine ballchest pass. All measurements and tests were taken before and after the six-weekintervention programme of plyometric training.With regards to physiological changes the results showed that the plyometric trainingprogramme had a positive effect on the experimental group. The body fat percentage ofthe experimental group showed a significant decrease and the circumference of theirthighs, calves, arms and waist increased. Their chest circumferences did, however, notincrease, which might be due to the fact that the plyometric exercises were morespecifically aimed at the lower body muscle groups.The results pertaining to physical fitness were mixed. There was a significantimprovement (p<0,01) in the cardiovascular fitness of the experimental group while that of the control group stayed relatively constant (p=1,0). With regards to muscle endurance,the control group fared significantly better in the push-up test than the experimentalgroup, while the experimental group fared significantly better in the sit-up test than thecontrol group.The six-week plyometric intervention programme had a statistically significant effect onthe performance of the experimental group as compared to the control group, whenbiomotor skills were assessed.It was concluded that the addition of the specific plyometric exercises to a conventionalrugby-training programme would improve the speed, explosive power and agility ofrugby players significantly. Beneficial anthropometric changes as well as improvedcardiovascular fitness would be additional benefits of a plyometric training programme.The findings of this research suggest that the value of plyometric exercises to motorskills, specific physiological characteristics and physical fitness should not beunderestimated and that the trainers and coaches should be informed in this regard. Toestablish the positive effects of plyometrics as a functional cross training regime forrugby players, more comprehensive research is, however, recommended.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University