Periodized Plyometric Training is Effective for Women, and Performance is Not Influenced by the Length of Post-Training Recovery

Abstract

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a periodized plyometric training program and the impact of the duration of the post-training recovery period on countermovement jump performance. Fourteen women subjects participated in a 6-week periodized plyometric training program. Ten women subjects served as non-training controls. All subjects' countermovement jump height, peak power, and body mass were assessed before and 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 days after training. Kinetic data were obtained via a force platform using the average of 3 repetitions of the countermovement jump for each testing session. Jump height was 25.0% greater (p < or = 0.05) after training with no difference (p > 0.05) between recovery periods of 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 days, for the training group. Peak power was 11.6-14.3% (p < or = 0.001) greater after training for the training group with no difference (p > 0.05) between recovery periods of 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 days. Analysis revealed no significant difference (p > 0.05) for jump height or peak power from pre- to posttest for the control group. Practitioners should prescribe periodized plyometric programs with decreasing volume and increasing intensity to improve jump performance without a need for a post-training recovery period.