The effects of plyometric training on running

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effect of plyometric training on running economy (RE) and biomechanical variables in BUCS level endurance athletes. Ten males took part in the study with an age of 20 (± 1) years old. The height and weight of the participants were 178.5 cm (± 6.2) and 64.6 kg (± 6.6) respectively, and were assigned to either an experimental group (n=5) or control group (n=5). The experimental group completed normal training along with the 6-week plyometric intervention that consisted of two sessions per week and progressed to three later in the intervention. The control group carried on with normal running training. The participants completed a 12 minute submaximal test on a treadmill, a 3-km time trial along with a counter movement jump (CMJ), and 5-bound test before and after the intervention. The treadmill test was completed at velocities of 12, 14 and 16 km/h with each speed lasting four minutes. Oxygen uptake was recorded and the running economy (RE) was calculated for each velocity using the last minute of each stage. The participants were recorded running at the velocity of 16 km/h and analysed using a technique performance sheet produced by British Athletics. After the six weeks all participants repeated the tests. It was found that six weeks of plyometric training had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on the RE and the 3-km time of the experimental group when compared to the control group. The experimental group also experienced significant improvements (p < 0.05) after the plyometric intervention in the two jump tests, CMJ improved by 12.3% (± 4.8%) and the 5-bound test by 7.1% (± 4%). The experimental group also attainted a significant improvement in leg cadence (p < 0.05) after the plyometric intervention. The control group experienced no significant changes. In conclusion, this would suggest plyometric training should be included in training to prevent the oxygen cost of running increasing.