2025, Vol. 12, Issue 1, Part F

Introduction: Despite the documented assets of the resistance training and plyometric training in physical performance of athletes, it remains uncertain that which of these training methods is superior for enhancing vertical jump performance. This study was conducted to compare the effects of 3 different training protocols—plyometric training, resistance training, and their combination in improving vertical jump performance.

Method: Forty subjects (23 Male and 17 Female and (11 to 20) age group) continuously practicing Wu-Shu were randomly assigned 4 groups: resistance training (n=10), plyometric training (n=10), plyometric plus weight training (n=10), and control (n=10). Subjects in each training group were trained two days per week, whereas control subjects were trained in any training activity beyond their regular Wu-Shu training. Resistance training group was trained resistance exercises only, plyometric training group was trained plyometric exercises only and combined training group was trained both resistance training and plyometric training in alternate day. Resistance exercises included back squat, Romanian dead lift, forward step lunge, standing calf raised and one leg step lunge, whereas, plyometric exercises included jump and reach, countermovement jump, jump to box, front barrier hob, jump twitch and jump, pike jump, double leg tuck jump and depth jump. Vertical jump was measured before and after 12 weeks of training. Data were collected by jump and reach method by using vertec device and analyzed by Welch’s ANOVA and Games Howell post hoc.

Result: Results showed that all training treatments elicited significant (p< 0.05) improvement in vertical jump. Furthermore, Games-Howell post hoc multiple analysis was applied to uncover specific differences between groups. Results demonstrated that the combination training group produced significantly greater improvements in vertical jump than the other two training groups (plyometric training and resistance training) and control group. Moreover, results showed that the post-test of vertical jump was increased from pre-test of resistance group, plyometric group and combined group by 3.15%, 4.55% and 5.71% respectively.

Conclusion: This study concludes to provides support for the use of a combination resistance training and plyometric drills to improve vertical jumping ability and explosive performance in general.