Effects Of 6 Weeks Plyometric Training on Anaerobic Capacity and Flexibility among Collegiate Cheerleaders

Wong, Jun Xiong (2019) Effects Of 6 Weeks Plyometric Training on Anaerobic Capacity and Flexibility among Collegiate Cheerleaders. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University College.

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of six weeks plyometric training on anaerobic capacity and flexibility among cheerleaders. A total of 23 cheerleaders, male (n = 15) and female (n = 8) partook in this study and were divided into control group (n = 11) and experimental group (n = 12) randomly. Both groups underwent both pre and post-test consisting of Wingate Anaerobic test, Sit and Reach test and Toe Touch Jump Test. The experimental group was put through a total of six weeks plyometric training in addition to cheerleading training, meanwhile the control group only participated in cheerleading training during the six weeks period. Plyometric training was given twice a week and cheerleading training was given thrice a week. The subjects were tested on relative peak power, power drop percentage, hamstring flexibility and angle of lateral separation of toe-touch jump. Data analysis showed that there was significant improvement in the relative peak power mean score of pre and post-test of the experimental group (Pre = 9.53±1.16, Post = 9.88±1.04) but no significant difference in the control group (Pre = 10.16±1.77, Post = 10.20±1.52). There was also significant improvement in the hamstring flexibility mean score of pre and post-test for both experimental (Pre = 10.32±9.68, Post = 13.09±8.83) and control group (Pre = 2.9±14.6, Post = 6.15±12.29). However, there was no significant difference in the power drop percentage of the experimental (Pre = 55.09±10.9, Post = 48.57±6.63) and control group (Pre = 58.44±11.39, Post = 59.47±14.18) and angle of lateral separation of toe-touch jump mean score of both experimental (Pre = 194.82±34.348, Post = 197.45±33.312) and control group (Pre = 175.75±34.594, Post = 173.75±27.808). In conclusion, plyometric training and cheerleading training can improve relative peak power due to neuromuscular adaptations such as synchronize activations of motor units and increased number of motor units fired. Flexibility also improved due to eccentric contraction of the stretch-shortening cycle.