Comparing the Effects of Hard and Soft Surface Plyometric Training on Vertical Jump and Postural Stability Among Active College Students

Chei, Ee Onn (2019) Comparing the Effects of Hard and Soft Surface Plyometric Training on Vertical Jump and Postural Stability Among Active College Students. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University College.

Text Chei Ee Onn_Full Text.pdf Restricted to Registered users only Download (1MB)

Abstract

Jumping ability and postural stability are important to improve daily living activities and functional capacity in tasks among young adults. This study was to compare the effects of 6-week hard surface and soft surface plyometric training programme on vertical jump height and postural stability among active college students. A total of 14 physically active male college students (age = 20.29 ± 1.33, height = 168.91cm± 4.74, weight = 68.37kg± 10.94) participated in this study. All subjects were randomly assigned into hard surface (n = 7) and soft surface (n = 7) plyometric group using systematic-counterbalancing method and undergone 6 weeks of plyometric training programme in different surface settings. The training was conducted two times a week on non-consecutive days. Subjects were tested on vertical jumpand postural stability to observe the changes in vertical jump height and overall postural stability index. Results showed significant improvement in the overall postural stability index (p = 0.009) in soft surface plyometric group after 6 weeks of plyometric training. Hard surface plyometric group showed greater improvement in vertical jump (9.67%) but was not significant (p > 0.05). There was also no significant difference (p > 0.05) observed between hard surface and soft surface plyometric group in the pre-test and post-test results. Hence, 6 weeks of soft surface plyometric training can be beneficial for college students to improve their postural stability.