THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PLYOMETRIC-VERTICAL JUMP AND ISOMETRIC-STRENGTH TRAINING ON PERFORMANCE OF KICKING SKILL IN SOCCER

This study examined the effectiveness of plyometric vertical jump, isometric strength training and the combination of the two in optimising performance of kicking skill by the female soccer players. Plyometric- vertical jump was chosen to train the leg power while the toe raise was used to train for leg strength. The quasi-experimental research design was adopted for the study. The data for the study was generated from a population of seventy- eight female students in four secondary schools in Awka Educational zone, Anambra State. Thirty-two female students aged 14-18years volunteered to participate in the study. The volunteered female students were apparently healthy, physically active and free of any lower and upper extremity bone injuries for past one year and they had no medical or orthopedic injuries that may affect their participation in the study. The statistical analysis utilised were mean, t-test and ANCOVA. The result revealed that plyometric- vertical jump and isometric-strength training respectively and the combination of the two, significantly had positive effects on kicking skill among female soccer players. These positive effects on kicking ability no doubt help in optimising performances of the female soccer players among others. Based on the findings, it was recommended that coaches and athletes should include plyomrtic- vertical jump and isometric strength training in their training schedule for better sports performance since they improve kicking skill in soccer.

Plyometric, Vertical, Jump, Isometric, Strength, Training,

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