The Effects of Plyometric and Resistance Training on Selected Fitness Variables among University Soccer-Playing Adults

Soccer players need a very high level of fitness to play and avoid injuries; it reveals that soccer is an extremely challenging game and players has to perform a variety of skills during the play and needs speed, strength, agility, quickness. Objectives. The purpose of this study was to find out the impact of plyometric and resistance training on selected fitness variables among university soccer-playing adults. Methods. A group of (N = 60) soccerplaying adults were selected randomly to participate in this study. The age of the participants was in the range of 18 - 24 years, plyometric and resistance-training program was employed for 12 weeks, two days in a week, 40 minutes of training per session. These participants were segregated into two groups namely Group-A (N = 30, plyometric training group), Group –B (N = 30 resistance training group). The pre and post-test considered as follows; Leg strength (leg press), muscular strength endurance (sit-ups test) muscular power (standing long jump), speed (30 M sprint) and agility (Illinois agility test). Results. The improved performances among the participants with regard to the selected fitness variables presented by “p” values and percentages. Plyometric training group: Leg press (p < 0.001), Sit-ups test (p < 0.001), standing long jump (p < 0.001), 30 M Sprinting performance (p < 0.001), and agility (p < 0.001). Resistance training group: Leg press (p < 0.001), Sit-ups test (p < 0.001), standing long jump (p = 0.02), 30 M Sprinting performance (p < 0.001), and agility (p < 0.001). Plyometric and resistance training had shown significant performance from pre to post-test. Conclusion. It was also concluded that the plyometric training group had shown better performance with regard to muscular power and speed. Resistance training group had shown improved performance in leg strength, muscular strength endurance, and agility.