Effect of Plyometric Training on Selected Motor Abilities in Track and Field Athletes

Track and field athletes require superior speed and agility to excel in competitive events. This study investigates the impact of a 12-week structured plyometric training program on these motor abilities. A total of 34 track and field athletes (aged 18-25 years) were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=17) and a control group (n=17). Speed was assessed using the 50-Meter Sprint Test, and agility was measured through the Shuttle Run Test. A pre-test and post-test experimental design was employed, with data analyzed using a 2×2 repeated measures ANOVA. Results revealed a significant improvement in the experimental group’s sprint performance (6.68% reduction in sprint time, p < 0.001, η²p = 0.54) and agility (2.83% reduction in agility time, p = 0.014, η²p = 0.17). These findings suggest that plyometric training effectively enhances neuromuscular function, acceleration, and change-of-direction capabilities in track and field athletes. The study highlights the importance of plyometric interventions in athletic conditioning programs and suggests further exploration of sport-specific adaptations.