Effects of plyometric vs. strength training on strength, sprint, and functional performance in soccer players: a randomized controlled trial

Plyometric training (PT) has been shown to have numerous benefits and few harmful effects. This study aimed to compare the effects of PT vs. strength training on muscle strength, sprint, and lower limb functional performance in soccer players. Ninety participants (mean age 22.5 years) were equally and randomly divided into three groups: a plyometric training group (PTG; n = 30), a strength training group (STG; n = 30), and a control group (CG; n = 30). In PTG: bounding, hurdling, and drop jumping exercises were performed. In STG: isometric exercises of knee extension (at 60º knee flexion), quadriceps (in supine), hip adductors (in crook lying), and straight leg raise were performed. In CG: no specific training was given. All interventions were performed for eight weeks. Isometric strength (IS), sprint (ST), and single-leg triple hop (SLTH) tests were outcome measures. The wilcoxon signed ranks test was used for with-in-group analysis, and Kruskal Wallis and Mann–Whitney u tests were used for between-group analyses. In PTG: in comparison to a baseline measurement, IS increased by 8.83% (p 

This study compares the effects of plyometric and strength training on performance in soccer players.