Effects of Plyometrics Training with Ankle Weights on Skill-Related Physical Fitness Components

This study explores the significant effect of plyometrics training with ankle weights on volleyball and basketball athletes’ skill-related physical fitness components. More specifically, the athletes’ skill-related physical fitness components such as agility, leg power, and speed were considered in this study since these are essential attributes in playing both basketball and volleyball. The researcher developed a six-week plyometrics training program with ankle weights that was evaluated by three content experts. Using a quasi-experimental with pretestposttest design. The control and experimental groups were composed of forty-eight members of combined male and female basketball and volleyball athletes in one public school. The Illinois agility run test, 20-meter dash, and Vertec jump height test were used in the pretest and posttest in assessing athletes’ agility, speed and leg power, respectively. Results of the study revealed that the athletes in both groups had significant improvement on their agility, leg power and speed as implied on the findings of the paired t-test between the pre-test and post-test in all skill-related physical fitness components. However, results of the independent t-test comparing the two groups’ posttests in all skill-related physical fitness components showed significant difference leaning towards the experimental group. The findings provided evidence on the significant influence of plyometrics training with ankle weights in enhancing agility, leg power and speed among basketball and volleyball athletes. Further, this study promotes the significance of designing, developing and validating training programs for the improvement of desired athletes’ skills and sports performance