Introduction
Plyometrics are training techniques used by athletes in all types of sports to increase strength and explosiveness. Plyometrics consists of a rapid stretching of a muscle (eccentric action) immediately followed by a concentric or shortening action of the same muscle and connective tissue . The stored elastic energy within the muscle is used to produce more force than can be provided by a concentric action alone . Researchers have shown that plyometric training, when used with a periodized strength-training program, can contribute to improvements in vertical jump performance, acceleration, leg strength, muscular power, increased joint awareness, and overall proprioception .
Plyometric drills usually involve stopping, starting, and changing directions in an explosive manner. These movements are components that can assist in developing agility . Agility is the ability to maintain or control body position while quickly changing direction during a series of movements . Agility training is thought to be a re- enforcement of motor programming through neuromuscular conditioning and neural adaptation of muscle spindles, golgi-tendon organs, and joint proprioceptors . By enhancing balance and control of body positions during movement, agility theoretically should improve.
It has been suggested that increases in power and efficiency due to plyometrics may increase agility training objectives and plyometric activities have been used in sports such as football, tennis, soccer or other sporting events that agility may be useful for their athletes . Although plyometric training has been shown to increase performance variables, little scientific information is available to determine if plyometric training actually enhances agility. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a 6-week plyometric training