Differential Impacts of a Four-Week Plyometric Training Intervention on Vertical Jump Performance across Basketball, Hockey, and Volleyball Athletes

Introduction: Explosive lower-limb power, frequently assessed through vertical jump height, is a crucial determinant of performance in team sports. Plyometric training enhances neuromuscular efficiency and jump performance; however, sportspecific responses to short-term interventions remain insufficiently studied. This research examined the effects of a four-week plyometric training program on vertical jump performance in inter-university basketball, hockey, and volleyball athletes from LNIPE Gwalior and LNIPE NERC. Objective: To evaluate and compare sport-specific improvements in vertical jump height following a standardized four-week plyometric training program in basketball, hockey, and volleyball athletes. Methods: Forty-five male inter-university athletes (n = 15 per sport) aged 18–25 years participated. Vertical jump height was measured manually using the chalk-mark technique pre- and post-intervention. All athletes completed an identical plyometric program (three sessions/week). Data were analyzed using a two-way mixed ANOVA with Bonferroni-adjusted post-hoc tests. Results: Significant main effects were found for time (F(1, 42) = 376.21, p < 0.001, η²ₚ = 0.90) and sport (F(2, 42) = 19.84, p < 0.001, η²ₚ = 0.49), along with a significant interaction (F(2, 42) = 12.56, p < 0.001, η²ₚ = 0.37). Volleyball athletes improved significantly more than basketball (p = 0.042) and hockey (p < 0.001) athletes, while basketball athletes improved more than hockey (p = 0.018). Conclusion: Four weeks of plyometric training significantly enhanced vertical jump performance in all groups, with volleyball athletes showing the greatest gains, followed by basketball and hockey athletes. Sport-specific demands and baseline plyometric exposure likely influenced the observed differences.