The Effect of Six-Week Plyometric Training on Reactive Strength Index and Anaerobic Capacity in U18 Male Football Players

This study aims to determine the effect of six-week plyometric training on the reactive strength index (RSI) and anaerobic capacity in U18 male football players. In the study, a pre-test post-test control group design, one of the experimental models of the quantitative research method, was used. A total of 18 male football players who voluntarily participated in the study were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n=9) and the control group (n=9). While the football players in the experimental group followed a plyometric training program three times a week for six weeks in addition to their regular football training, the football players in the control group only continued their regular football training during this period. Prior to the training program and at the end of the six-week period, the participants underwent assessments including the Reactive Strength Index (RSI) and the Wingate Anaerobic Power Test (WAnT). The normality of the data was determined using the Shapiro-Wilk test. For the analysis of normally distributed data, the Independent Sample T-Test was used for independent groups, while the Paired Sample T-Test was employed for dependent groups. According to the findings of the study, a significant difference in favor of the post-test was observed in the Reactive Strength Index (RSI) (t = -2.353; p = 0.046) and peak power (PP) (t = -3.418; p = 0.009) parameters of the experimental group football players. However, no significant difference was found in the mean power (MP) and fatigue index (FI) parameters. In conclusion, it was determined that the six-week plyometric training program applied to U18 male football players had positive effects on RSI and PP values.