Effect of a plyometric training session on the ground vs on mini-trampoline on balance and jump performance in basketball player

Abstract

Purpose: This study compared the effects of plyometric training performed on the ground or on a mini-trampoline on jumping, balance and landing performance (and its recovery time) in basketball players. Methods: 30 male basketball athletes, between 17 and 21 years of age, were divided into three groups: plyometric training on the mini-trampoline (TPT, n = 11), on the ground (CPT, n = 9), and control group (CG, n = 10). Participants were evaluated on maximum height of their countermovement jumps, landing impact (peak ground reaction force) in single-leg drop landing jump, and balance (center of pressure [COP] Area, COP length) in the two single-leg standing tests (with closed or open eyes) before, immediately after, 15 min after, and 30 min after the training session. Results: CPT showed larger landing impact than CG (p =.031), larger COP area than TPT (p =.031) and longer COP length than CG (p =.024) in the opened-eyes condition. In the closed-eyes condition, a small decrease in COP length was observed. Conclusion: TPT does not lead to deterioration on balance, landing and performance as observed in CPT. Also, the minimum time for recovery balance after a plyometric session was estimated as 30 min.