ACUTE AND CHRONIC EFFECTS OF PLYOMETRIC TRAINING ON NEUROMUSCULAR PERFORMANCE IN UNIVERSITY-LEVEL MALE FOOTBALL PLAYERS

Abstract

Background: Plyometric training is widely regarded as an effective modality for enhancing explosive athletic performance; however, evidence comparing its immediate (acute) and long-term (chronic) effects within a controlled experimental framework remains limited, particularly for university-level football populations in developing countries.Objective: To examine the acute and chronic effects of an 8-week plyometric training program on neuromuscular performance in male university football players. Methods: A randomized controlled design with a 2 × 3 (Group × Time) mixed factorial structure was employed. Thirty male university footballers (age: 21.3 ± 1.9 years) were randomly allocated to an experimental group (EG; n = 15), which completed a structured 8-week plyometric program alongside regular football training, or a control group (CG; n = 15), which continued standard training only. Performance was assessed at three time points: baseline (T₀), immediately following the first plyometric session (T₁), and 48 hours after program completion (T₂). Outcome measures included the Standing Broad Jump (SBJ), 10-m Sprint Test, Illinois Agility Test, Y-Balance Test (anterior reach), and 10–5 Repeated Jump Test. Mixed-design ANOVA with Bonferroni post-hoc corrections and partial eta-squared (η²p) effect sizes were employed for statistical analysis. Results: At T₀, the EG exhibited a transient decline across all performance variables, indicative of acute neuromuscular fatigue. By T₂, however, the EG demonstrated significant improvements in explosive power (SBJ: +8.97%), sprint acceleration (10-m: −6.19%), agility (Illinois: −7.19%), and dynamic balance (Y-Balance: up to +9.5%), with all Group × Time interactions significant at p < .001 and large effect sizes (η²p = .54–.74). The CG showed no meaningful change across any time point. Conclusion: An initial acute decrement gives way to substantial chronic neuromuscular gains following 8 weeks of plyometric training. These findings support the systematic integration of plyometric training into university football conditioning programs to optimize athletic performance.

Keywords: plyometric training; neuromuscular performance; explosive power; agility; football; stretch-shortening cycle.