Effect of 5-Week Plyometric Training on Sand Versus Grass on Jumping and Sprinting Performance in Under-20s Soccer Players

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of five-week plyometric training (PT) using different surfaces (sand vs. grass) on sprint and jump performance in young soccer players of the under-20 category. Nineteen soccer players from a professional club in São Paulo (19.3 ± 1.1 years, 1.78 ± 0.06 m; 71.1 ± 6.84 kg) participated in the study. The subjects were divided into 2 groups that performed PT on sand (n=10) or grass (n=9) for five weeks. The PT incorporated exercises like CMJ, drop jumps, and multiple jumps, with the number of jumps increasing from 48 in the initial week to 120 by the final week. ANOVAs were utilized to compare the squat jump (SJ), the countermovement jump (CMJ), the drop jump (DJ), and 15 m sprinting time. A significance level of P ≤ 0.05 was adopted. The results indicated an improvement in performance, as measured by the SJ (Sand: 18.2%; Grass: 17.6%), CMJ (Sand: 12.5%; Grass: 12.4%), DJ from 44cm (Sand: 8.3%; Grass: 5.8%), drop DJ 66 cm (Sand: 7.5%; Grass: 7.1%), DJ from 88cm (Sand: 6.5%; Grass: 5.7%), and 15m sprint time (Sand: -2.2%; Grass: -2.3%). However, no significant difference was found between the two surfaces. In conclusion, 5-week PT on either sand or grass surfaces can improve sprint and jump performance in young soccer players.