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The effect of plyometric training on the performance of cyclists

Thesis (MSpor)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of plyometric exercise training
on the aerobic and anaerobic capacities of well-trained cyclists.
Twenty male competitive cyclists (age: 24 ± SD 5 years, height: 180 ± SD 6 cm and
body mass: 77 ± SD 6 kg), including 12 mountain bikers and eight road cyclists were
randomly divided into an experimental (n = 13) and a control group (n = 7). Testing
included kinanthropometric measurements, vertical jump test, bench pull test,
maximal aerobic capacity test, indoor 5-kilometer time trial (TT), anaerobic capacity
test (30-second Wingate test) and an outdoor 4.4-kilometer time trial (field test).
The plyometric training program had no statistically significant effect on the maximal
aerobic capacity, anaerobic capacity, time trial performance (laboratory and field) and
vertical jump performance of the experimental group. Selected outcome variables, i.e.
VO2max, PPO and MP during the Wingate test and time to complete the laboratory TT,
bordered on statistical significance. The experimental group significantly improved
their upper body strength. There was also a strong correlation between the outdoor
TT and upper body strength (r = 0.72).
Although the plyometric training program did not significantly improve the
performance of the cyclists, indications were that the experimental group improved
their anaerobic power and upper body strength. One previous study in the literature
suggested that the effects of a plyometric training program may only become evident
a few weeks after completion of the program. It is therefore possible that the cyclists
in this study would have experienced the benefits of plyometric training only later, i.e.
closer to the competition season when the aim of their training program is to improve
power and speed. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van die studie was om te bepaal wat die effek van pliometriese oefeninge is
op die aërobiese en anaërobiese vermoëns van goed ingeoefende fietsryers.
Twintig kompeterende mans fietsryers, (ouderdom: 24 ± SD 5 jaar, lengte: 180 ± SD
6 cm en gewig: 77 ± SD 6 kg), was ewekansig ingedeel in of ‘n eksperimentele (n =
13) of ‘n kontrole groep (n = 7). Die groep sluit twaalf bergfietsryers en agt
padfietsryers in. Kinantropometriese metings, vertikale spronghoogte, ‘n bolyf
kragtoets (“bench pull test”), ‘n maksimale aërobiese uithouvermoë toets, ‘n
binneshuise 5-kilometer tydtoets (TT), ‘n anaërobiese kapasiteit toets (30-sekonde
Wingate toets) en ‘n buitemuurse 4.4-kilometer tydtoets (veldtoets) was voltooi
gedurende die toetsperiode.
Die pliometriese oefenprogram het geen statisties betenisvolle effek op maksimale
aërobiese kapasiteit, anaërobiese kapasiteit, tydtoets prestasie (laboratorium en veld)
of op vertikale spronghoogte van die eksperimentele groep gehad nie. Spesifieke
uitkomsveranderlikes, soos VO2maks, piek en gemiddelde kraguitset gedurende die
Wingate toets, en die tyd wat dit geneem het om die laboratorium tydtoets te voltooi,
het gegrens aan ‘n statistiese betekenisvolle verbetering in die eksperimentele groep.
Die eksperimentele groep het ‘n betekenisvolle verbetering getoon in hul bolyfkrag na
die intervensie. Daar was ook ‘n sterk verband tussen die veld tydtoets en die
bolyfkrag in die eksperimentele groep (r = 0.72).
Hoewel die pliometriese oefenprogram nie die prestasie van die fietsryers
betekenisvol verbeter het nie, het dit tekens van verbetering in die eksperimentele
groep se anaërobiese en bolyfkrag getoon. ‘n Vorige studie het voorgestel dat ‘n
pliometriese inoefeningsprogram slegs na ‘n paar weke na die intervensie ‘n effek sal
toon in prestasie. Daarom is dit moontlik dat die fietsryers in die studie die voordele
van pliometriese oefeninge eers later ervaar het, nader aan die kompetisiefase
wanneer die doel van die oefenprogram is om spoed en krag te verbeter.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/21662
Date12 1900
CreatorsGerstner, Ludwig
ContributorsTerblanche, Elmarie, Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Education. Dept. of Sport Science.
PublisherStellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
Languageen_ZA
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis
Formatxiv, 135 leaves : ill.
RightsStellenbosch University

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