Elastic Band-Resisted Plyometric Training in Young Soccer Players

This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of elastic band-resisted plyometric training (EBPT) on jump performance in young male soccer players. Thirty-three youth soccer players aged 14-15 years were randomly assigned to one of three groups: elastic band-resisted plyometric training (EBPT, n=10), traditional plyometric training (PLT, n=11), or control (CON, n=12). Both training groups completed a 6-week intervention consisting of 2 sessions per week with 120-230 foot contacts per session. The primary outcome was countermovement jump without arm swing (CMJ-NS) height. Secondary outcomes included squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump with arm swing (CMJ-AS), single-leg vertical jumps for dominant (SVJ-D) and non-dominant (SVJ-ND) legs, take-off velocity, and peak power. Assessments were conducted at baseline and post-intervention. The study aimed to determine whether adding elastic band resistance to plyometric exercises provides superior training adaptations compared to traditional plyometric training for enhancing lower-limb explosive power in young athletes.

Inclusion Criteria: * Male soccer players aged 14-15 years * Member of a registered soccer academy * Minimum 2 years of soccer training experience * Regular participation in team training (at least 3 sessions per week) * No participation in systematic plyometric training in the previous 6 months * Written informed consent from parent/guardian Exclusion Criteria: * Current musculoskeletal injury or pain * History of lower extremity surgery in the past 12 months * Any cardiovascular or respiratory condition that contraindicates high-intensity exercise * Participation in other training intervention studies * Inability to attend at least 80% of training sessions