The Effect of Plyometrics Exercise through Agility Ladder Drill on Improving Physical Abilities of 13–15-Year-Old Volleyball Players

Abstract

Study purpose. The purpose of this study was to test the plyometrics training method through agility ladder drills to increase leg muscle power, agility, and aerobic endurance in 13-15-year-old volleyball players. Materials and methods. The research method used was an experiment with a one-group pretest-posttest and pretest-posttest control group approach. The participants were 30 male volleyball players weighing 57-67 kilograms and 157-170 cm in height. Vertical jump, agility t-test, and multistage fitness test were used in this study. Data gathering methods included observation and tests, while data analysis methods included descriptive analysis, Wilcoxon, and Mann-Whitney nonparametric analysis. Results. Descriptive data revealed a difference in the mean value of the pretest and posttest of the experimental group. Furthermore, it also showed a difference in the mean value of the experimental and control groups. In the Wilcoxon test, the value of Asymp. sig(2-tailed) was 0.006<0.05, agility was  0.001<0.05, and endurance was 0.001<0.05. In the Mann-Whitney test, the value of Asymp. sig(2-tailed) was 0.416>0.05, agility was 0.00<0.05, and endurance was 0.00<0.05. Conclusions. In the experimental group, the posttest score is higher than the pretest score on power, agility, and endurance. In volleyball players aged 13-15 years, there is a significant effect, with the experimental group outperforming the control group in terms of power, agility, and endurance. As a result, one of the recommended exercises for young volleyball players is the plyometrics training method using an agility ladder drill.