EFFECTS OF PLYOMETRIC PROGRAMMS ON BIOMECHANICAL PARAMETERS IN TRACK AND FIELD, BASKETBALL AND VOLLEYBALL: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Plyometric movement improves athletes’ muscular performance and is used in the plyometric training method as an unavoidable principle of explosive power and speed development training. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of plyometric programs on biomechanical parameters, including any differences between them. The study focused on three sports, junior age group athletes, and was based on a systematic analysis of previous results. Electronic databases such as PubMed, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, ERIC were searched for studies from 1999 to 2022. The results from 15 studies are summarized in detail. They show the positive effects of the plyometric programs on biomechanical parameters equally in the three sports. Training duration ranges from 20 to 90 min, and is directly related to the intensity of training and the number of jumps. Shorter sessions are of very high intensity with fewer jumps, while longer sessions are moderate and high intensity with fewer jumps (more than 138 to more than 2976). The most frequent training duration is 45 to 60 min, with high intensity and 600 to 900 different jumps. Greater improvements in explosive power and speed are seen in the parameters of sprint and jump tests. High intensity programs lasted from seven to 12 weeks, with a frequency of two to four times a week (СМЈ 6,2% to 16,9%, while for SJ 7,6% to 19,8%), while lower intensity programs lasted from three to six weeks (СМЈ 6,3% to 9,1%, and for SJ 6,6% to 8,9%). It is concluded that longer programs, of a moderate and high intensity and training sessions from 45 to 60 min, enable the best progress, regardless of sport.