Effects of Plyometric Training on Lower Limb Muscle Power and Agility of College Basketball Students at Luoyang Normal University

Background and Aim: Power, muscle, and Agility are widely used to improve athletic performance, particularly in sports requiring movements. This study aimed to study and compare the effects of plyometric training on the lower limb muscle power as well as the agility of basketball college students, before training, after the 4th week, and after the 8th week of the training program. This research is quasi-experimental. The sample consisted of 80 college basketball students from Luoyang Normal University who passed the test criteria. The researcher used the simple random sampling method for an experimental 40 students and a control group of 40 students. Materials and Methods: Research instruments included 1) a plyometric training program, 2) a regular training program, 3) a lower limb muscle power test, a Bouncing Force Measuring Platform, and 4) a Zigzag Run Test for agility measurement. The study assessed lower limb muscle strength, including Peak Power, Peak Vertical Ground Reaction Force, Peak Velocity, and agility movement. In this research, mean, standard deviation, one-way repeated measures ANOVA, and dependent t-tests were used to analyze the data. Results: Findings indicated that plyometric training significantly improved lower limb muscle power (Peak Power, Peak Vertical Ground Reaction Force, and Peak Velocity) and agility movement compared to regular training. Conclusion: Plyometric training effectively improves lower limb muscle power and agility in college basketball students, showing greater benefits than regular training after 8 weeks.