Chen, S., & Weng, C. (2010). Effects of plyometric training on the performance of power and speed in children. Presentation 638 at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; June 2-5.

This study evaluated the effects of plyometric training on power and speed both in boys (N = 30; ~11.41 years) and girls (N = 30; ~11.45 years). Ss were assigned to an experimental group and a control group with 15 boys and 15 girls in each group according to pre-test vertical jump. The experimental group received plyometric training with gradually increasing intensity of jumping over 25 cm high rubber bands with various feet movements for 50 minutes, three times per week for 12 weeks. The control group received only the school physical education curriculum. Ss were tested on vertical jump, 5-meter run, 5-meter x 4 shuttle-run, and 50-meter sprint before and after training.

Vertical jump, 5-meter run, 5-meter x 4 shuttle-run, and 50-meter sprint improved 14.46%, 4.71%, 5.18%, and 4.21% respectively in the experimental group after training. Both boys and girls in the plyometric training group produced significant improvements in vertical jump, 5-meter run, 5-meter x 4 shuttle-run and 50-meter sprint.

Implication. Supervised low-intensity and gradually increasing plyometric training significantly improved the performance of power and speed activities in children of both genders.

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