The Effects of Plyometric Training Program on Leg Muscle Power of Basketball Players at Guangxi Polytechnic of Construction

This research aimed to develop and compare the effects of a plyometric training program on the leg muscle power of basketball players. The sample group consisted of 30 basketball players from Guangxi Polytechnic of Construction in Guangxi Province, China, selected through purposive sampling. The participants were divided into two groups: an experimental group of 15 players who trained using a plyometric program developed by the researcher and a control group of 15 players who trained using a standard training program. The training lasted for eight weeks, with sessions conducted three days a week, lasting 40 to 50 minutes per session. The Vertical Jump Test measured leg muscle power. Data were analyzed by calculating the mean and standard deviation. The Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test was used to compare mean differences in leg muscle power within the control and experimental groups before and after training. Moreover, the Mann-Whitney U Test compared mean differences in leg muscle power between the control and experimental groups before and after training. The research results indicated that the plyometric program developed by the researcher was effective. The experimental group exhibited significantly better leg muscle power than the control group, with statistical significance at the 0.05 level. Additionally, both the experimental and control groups experienced substantial improvements in leg muscle power after training compared to before training, also with statistical significance at the 0.05 level. These findings indicate that the plyometric program developed is a valuable resource for enhancing agility and leg muscle power in basketball players. It offers practical guidelines for athletes, trainers, and anyone interested in basketball to improve athletic performance in the future.