The Effects of Plyometric Exercises Program to Develop Muscular Strength and Reduce Sports Injuries among Young Football Players

Abstract

The aim of this study was identify the effect of using the proposed plyometric exercises on reducing the incidence of injuries among football players, as well as to identify the effect of the proposed program on the vertical jump and increase the explosive power of the muscles legs of young football players. The study sample consisted of (33) from young football teams of Al-Nasiriya Sports Club (age 18.5 ± (0.9) yrs.; height 180.7± (5.3) cm, weight 72.7± (8.1) kg). The researcher used the experimental method by following the tribal and dimensional measurements for two groups, experimental (16) and control (17) players. The players’ performance physical tests including: (JUMP TEST (SARGEN JUMP TEST; SQUAT JUMP TEST; STANDING LONG JUMP TEST. The program was applied for (12) weeks (5) times per week for a period of (30) minutes each time, tests were conducted and data were collected before starting the program and this was repeated two and a half months after the start the program. The statistical analysis prefer by means of repeated measures analysis. The most important results of the research indicated that the training program affected all study variables at the significance level (P < 0.05). The rates of incidence per 1000 hours (practice and match) are (1.12) in experimental group and (2.74) in control group, which equates (54.90%) fewer injuries experimental group. The incidence rats of injuries (mild and moderate) in experimental group was (5), while (13) in control group. In addition, the improvement in muscular strength of the leg (PW) reached (15.83%) in experimental group, while in control group (1.08%) with a significance level of (0.005) for strength muscles. The vertical jump reached (5.3 %), and (1.03%) respectively, with a significance level of (0.009) for the height jump, and for explosive leg power reached (6.9%) (2.14) respectively, with a significance level of (0.003), also for squat vertical jump reached (8.2%), and (1.0%) respectively, with a significance level of (0.006). The most important recommendations is that plyometric exercises have positive results in terms of affecting muscle groups as a means of developing muscular ability and gaining strength at the speed required by the vertical leap of skill in football