In-season plyometric training transfers to sport specific movements

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate jump landing improvements after a 4 week, in- season anterior cruciate ligament injury prevention program (ACL IPP). Methods: Jumping kinetics and kinematics of 15 female collegiate soccer players were measured. Peak forces, jump height, and lower extremity kinematics of maximal vertical jumps and simulated attacking headers were evaluated at loading and landing. Results: For the simulated headers task, there was a significant decrease in the peak landing GRF following the intervention (Pre: 2711.74 + 591 N; Post: 2338.45 + 380 N, t14 = 2.94, p = .01). There was also a significant increase in knee flexion angles (Pre: 63.46 + 10o; Post: 69.53 + 10o; t14 = 2.24, p = .04). Discussion: Results indicated the in-season ACL IPP, in addition to soccer practice, was successful, demonstrating possible benefits to adding an ACL IPP to in-season practices of female soccer players. Conclusions: In-season ACL IPP have the potential to improve landing mechanics and therefore decrease ACL injury risk in skilled soccer players