Effects of a blocked versus an alternated sequence of balance and plyometric training on physical performance in youth soccer players

Abstract Background The sequence of blocked balance training (BT) followed by blocked plyometric training (PT) showed greater improvements in physical performance than vice versa and is explained by a preconditioning effect of BT-related adaptations on subsequent adaptations induced by PT. However,...

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Main Authors: Thomas Muehlbauer, Vincent Wagner, Dennis Brueckner, Simon Schedler, Gerrit Schwiertz, Rainer Kiss, Marco Hagen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2019-09-01
Series:BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation
Subjects:
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13102-019-0131-y
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author Thomas Muehlbauer
Vincent Wagner
Dennis Brueckner
Simon Schedler
Gerrit Schwiertz
Rainer Kiss
Marco Hagen
author_facet Thomas Muehlbauer
Vincent Wagner
Dennis Brueckner
Simon Schedler
Gerrit Schwiertz
Rainer Kiss
Marco Hagen
author_sort Thomas Muehlbauer
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The sequence of blocked balance training (BT) followed by blocked plyometric training (PT) showed greater improvements in physical performance than vice versa and is explained by a preconditioning effect of BT-related adaptations on subsequent adaptations induced by PT. However, it remains unclear whether beneficial effects can also be induced using alternating instead of blocked BT and PT exercise sequences. Thus, we examined the effects of a blocked versus an alternated sequence of BT and PT on physical performance in trained individuals. Methods Twenty young soccer players (13 years) were randomly assigned to a blocked (n = 10) or an alternated (n = 10) intervention group. Both groups trained balance and plyometric exercises for six weeks (two sessions/week). The exercises were conducted in a blocked (three weeks of BT followed by three weeks of PT) or an alternated sequence (weekly change of BT and PT). Assessment of pre- and post-training performance included measures of balance, muscle power, speed, and agility. Results Mainly significant main effects of Test (i.e., pre- to post-test improvements) were observed for the Y-balance test (p ≤ 0.014, 1.3 ≤ Cohen’s d ≤ 1.81), the squat jump (p = 0.029, d = 1.36), the countermovement jump (p = 0.002, d = 2.21), the drop jump (p = 0.004, d = 1.96), the split times/total time over 15-m sprinting (p ≤ 0.001, 2.02 ≤ d ≤ 3.08), and the figure-T agility run (p < 0.001, d = 3.80). Further, tendencies toward significant Test x Group interactions were found for several items of the Y-balance test and for SJ height in favor of the blocked BTPT group. Conclusions Our results indicate that the combined training of balance and plyometric exercises is effective to improve proxies of physical performance in youth soccer players. In addition, there is a limited advantage in some parameters of balance and muscle power for the blocked as compared to the alternated sequence of BT and PT.
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spelling doaj.art-1c571147c8ad4ccbae75216984a28cbd2022-12-21T18:21:57ZengBMCBMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation2052-18472019-09-011111910.1186/s13102-019-0131-yEffects of a blocked versus an alternated sequence of balance and plyometric training on physical performance in youth soccer playersThomas Muehlbauer0Vincent Wagner1Dennis Brueckner2Simon Schedler3Gerrit Schwiertz4Rainer Kiss5Marco Hagen6Division of Movement and Training Sciences/Biomechanics of Sport, University of Duisburg-EssenDivision of Movement and Training Sciences/Biomechanics of Sport, University of Duisburg-EssenDivision of Movement and Training Sciences/Biomechanics of Sport, University of Duisburg-EssenDivision of Movement and Training Sciences/Biomechanics of Sport, University of Duisburg-EssenDivision of Movement and Training Sciences/Biomechanics of Sport, University of Duisburg-EssenDepartment of Health and Social Affairs, FHM Bielefeld - University of Applied SciencesDivision of Movement and Training Sciences/Biomechanics of Sport, University of Duisburg-EssenAbstract Background The sequence of blocked balance training (BT) followed by blocked plyometric training (PT) showed greater improvements in physical performance than vice versa and is explained by a preconditioning effect of BT-related adaptations on subsequent adaptations induced by PT. However, it remains unclear whether beneficial effects can also be induced using alternating instead of blocked BT and PT exercise sequences. Thus, we examined the effects of a blocked versus an alternated sequence of BT and PT on physical performance in trained individuals. Methods Twenty young soccer players (13 years) were randomly assigned to a blocked (n = 10) or an alternated (n = 10) intervention group. Both groups trained balance and plyometric exercises for six weeks (two sessions/week). The exercises were conducted in a blocked (three weeks of BT followed by three weeks of PT) or an alternated sequence (weekly change of BT and PT). Assessment of pre- and post-training performance included measures of balance, muscle power, speed, and agility. Results Mainly significant main effects of Test (i.e., pre- to post-test improvements) were observed for the Y-balance test (p ≤ 0.014, 1.3 ≤ Cohen’s d ≤ 1.81), the squat jump (p = 0.029, d = 1.36), the countermovement jump (p = 0.002, d = 2.21), the drop jump (p = 0.004, d = 1.96), the split times/total time over 15-m sprinting (p ≤ 0.001, 2.02 ≤ d ≤ 3.08), and the figure-T agility run (p < 0.001, d = 3.80). Further, tendencies toward significant Test x Group interactions were found for several items of the Y-balance test and for SJ height in favor of the blocked BTPT group. Conclusions Our results indicate that the combined training of balance and plyometric exercises is effective to improve proxies of physical performance in youth soccer players. In addition, there is a limited advantage in some parameters of balance and muscle power for the blocked as compared to the alternated sequence of BT and PT.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13102-019-0131-yPostural controlMuscle powerSpeedAgilityAdolescence
spellingShingle Thomas Muehlbauer
Vincent Wagner
Dennis Brueckner
Simon Schedler
Gerrit Schwiertz
Rainer Kiss
Marco Hagen
Effects of a blocked versus an alternated sequence of balance and plyometric training on physical performance in youth soccer players
BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation
Postural control
Muscle power
Speed
Agility
Adolescence
title Effects of a blocked versus an alternated sequence of balance and plyometric training on physical performance in youth soccer players
title_full Effects of a blocked versus an alternated sequence of balance and plyometric training on physical performance in youth soccer players
title_fullStr Effects of a blocked versus an alternated sequence of balance and plyometric training on physical performance in youth soccer players
title_full_unstemmed Effects of a blocked versus an alternated sequence of balance and plyometric training on physical performance in youth soccer players
title_short Effects of a blocked versus an alternated sequence of balance and plyometric training on physical performance in youth soccer players
title_sort effects of a blocked versus an alternated sequence of balance and plyometric training on physical performance in youth soccer players
topic Postural control
Muscle power
Speed
Agility
Adolescence
url http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13102-019-0131-y
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