Affiliations: [a] School of Kırkpınar Physical Education and Sport, Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey | [b] Sport Science Faculty, İnonu University, Malatya, Turkey | [c] Physical Education and Sport Department, Health Sciences Institute, Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Cem Kurt, Trakya University, School of Kırkpınar Physical Education and Sport, Balkan Campus, Edirne, Turkey. E-mail: [email protected].
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Cluster set plyometrics (CSP) promise greater muscular performance than traditional set plyometrics (TSP). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the influence of TSP and CSP warm-ups via bounce drop jump (BDJ) on reactive strength index (RSI), leg stiffness (Kleg), ground contact time (CT), and jump height (JH). METHODS: Thirteen male rugby players (age, 20.92 ± 2.25 years; body mass, 82.88 ± 9.22 kg; rugby experience, 3.61 ± 3.04 years; training volume, 10.69 ± 3.75 h/week) were recruited for this study from two rugby clubs competing in the Second League in Turkey. The players completed 3 different set configurations of equal jump volume 72 h apart in a randomized, balanced order. The sets configurations were TSP (2 × 10 jump with 90 s interval), CSP-1 (4 × 5 jump with 30 s interval), and CSP-2 (10 × 2 jump with 10 s interval). Pre and post values of RSI, Kleg, CT, and JH on each session were determined via the Myotest Pro system. RESULTS: Statistically significant changes were not found between pre- and post-values of RSI, Kleg, CT, and JH in each session, either positive or negative (p> 0.05), as well as among the three different set configurations in any of the outcome variables according to post-results (p> 0.05). These findings indicated that low-volume TSP and CSP bounce drop jump had no effect on RSI, Kleg, CT, and JH in male rugby players. CONCLUSIONS: Set configurations, jump volume, and intensity applied in this study may be too low to change muscle-tendon complex (MTC) stiffness and produce a post-activation potentiation (PAP) effect. Further research, with larger samples, is needed to determine which set configurations, jump volume (> 20 jumps/session), and intensity (box height > 30 cm) are the best option for enhancement of RSI, Kleg, CT, and JH.
Keywords: Cluster set, traditional set, bounce drop jump, reactive strength index, leg stiffness, rugby
