The effects of endurance, plyometric and concurrent training on bio-energetic and skill characteristics of male soccer players

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of endurance, plyometric and concurrent training (combination of plyometric and endurance training) on the bio-energetic and skill characteristics of male soccer players.

To this end 29 male soccer players with average age of 25.42 ± 4.7 yr, height of 177.60 ± 7.10 cm and body mass of 73.20 ± 6.59 kg were randomly assigned and divided into three groups of endurance (n=10), plyometric (n=10) and concurrent (n=9). The endurance training consisted of 4×4 min interval running at 90-95% of maximal heart rate, with a 3 min jogging in between. The plyometric training consisted of 9 explosive jumping and throwing exercises in 3 sets with 10 repetitions which subjects done with low to maximal intensity. The concurrent training consisted of both plyometric and endurance training at one session that plyometric training performed first. All training program performed for 8 week and 3 times a week. The subjects performed 1600m run test for VO2max, RAST and vertical jump height for anaerobic power and Mor-Cherestian test for skill characteristics before and after training period.

The analysis of data before and after training programs using T-test, ANOVA and LSD showed that: In all of the three groups VO2max increased significantly. In plyometric and concurrent training groups, peak and average anaerobic power increased and the fatigue index decreased, significantly. No changes were found in this variable in endurance group. Also, no changes were found in dribbling and shooting skills in all of the groups after the training program.

In this study utilizing concurrent plyometric and endurance training not only had no negative influence on bio-energetic and skills characteristics, but this can also improves their VO2max, average anaerobic power and fatigue index more than along of plyometric and endurance training (p;0/05).