The effect of plyometric training on the agility of elite judokas

Plyometric training involve an eccentric-concentric contraction cycle, in which, concentric contraction is performed immediately after eccentric contraction. Plyometric training improved and increase explosive power and agility ability. Agility ability is one of the most important factors in physical fitness related to sports skills, which improves the performance of sports skills and reduces sports injuries. Agility is the ability to change direction quickly by maintaining balance and understanding the position, also plays a crucial role in speed and strength sports including judo.The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of six weeks of plyometric training on the agility of elite judokas.In this study, 22 elite judokas (age: 20.12 ± 1.4 and weight: 69.63 ± 5.7 kg) were randomly divided into control and training groups. Before training, agility ability was measured using an agility (4 × 9 m shuttle run) test. Then, the training group performed plyometric training for six weeks and the control group continued their normal training. After training, the agility test of the control and training groups was measured again. Significant differences in data average were analyzed using t-test at the level (p≤0.05).The results of Kolmogorov-Smirnov test showed that the research data have a normal distribution (p>0.05). Therefore, the results of t-test show that the agility ability in the training group is significantly higher than the control group (t (20) = 4/031, p<0.05).Plyometric training can increase the agility ability of elite judokas. As a result, this type of training can be used to develop and improve the agility of elite athletes in a short time by observing safety principles and training science principles. Therefore, elite athletes and coaches, especially elite judokas who need agility ability, are advised to use plyometric training in addition to their normal training to improve their athletic performance.

The effect of plyometric training on the agility of elite judokas Keywords:

Plyometric training , judokas , agility ability