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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2025 Feb 27;20(2):e0316477.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0316477. eCollection 2025.

The effects of plyometric training with speed and weight overloads on volleyball players' strength, power, and jumping performance

Ahmad Reza Iranpour  1 , Mohammad Hemmatinafar  1 , Javad Nemati  1 , Mohsen Salesi  1 , Hamed Esmaeili  2 , Babak Imanian  1
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

The effects of plyometric training with speed and weight overloads on volleyball players' strength, power, and jumping performance

Ahmad Reza Iranpour et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Background: The principle of gradual overload is crucial in improving sports performance, yet the effects of combining speed and weight overloads in plyometric training remain understudied.

Objective: This study investigated the effects of plyometric training with speed and weight overloads on isokinetic strength, explosive power, and agility in volleyball players.

Method: Forty male volleyball players were randomly assigned to four groups: plyometric training (PT), plyometric training with speed overload (PTS), plyometric training with weight overload (PTW), and plyometric training with both speed and weight overload (PTSW). Each group completed a four-week plyometric training regimen. Performance metrics, including Sarjent's jump height (SJH), Spike jump height (SPJH), Sheppard test (ShT), muscle voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), rate of force development (RFD), absolute peak torque (PTQ), relative peak torque (RPT), and average power (AP) of knee extensors and flexors were measured before and after the intervention.

Results: SJH improved significantly in PTS (P = 0.012), PTW (P = 0.041), and PTSW (P = 0.001) compared to PT. SPJH showed substantial gains in PTS (P = 0.002), PTW (P = 0.001), and PTSW (P = 0.001) compared to PT. Average jump height and highest jump in ShT were also significantly higher in PTS, PTW, and PTSW (P < 0.05). Additionally, RFDext240°/s was enhanced considerably in PTS (P = 0.001) and PTSW (P = 0.001).

Conclusion: Based on the results, plyometric training with speed and weight overloads (PTSW) demonstrated superior enhancements in isokinetic strength, explosive power, and jumping performance. This combined approach is highly effective and significantly benefits male volleyball players, aiming to enhance their physical abilities.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Flowchart illustrating the different phases of the research and study selection.
PT: plyometric training, PTS: plyometric training with speed overload, PTW: plyometric training with weight overload, PTSW: plyometric training with speed and weight overload.
Fig 2
Fig 2. The method of applying speed overload.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Schematic design of Sheppard repeat-effort test [83].
Fig 4
Fig 4. Individual responses, means, and standard deviation of the functional tests results in the four groups.
PT: plyometric training, PTS: plyometric training with speed overload, PTW: plyometric training with weight overload, PTSW: plyometric training with speed and weight overload, SJH: Sarjent’s jump height, SPJH: Spike jump height, ShT: Sheppard test, s: Second, cm: Centimeter. *: significant difference compared to the pre-test. #: significant difference of D of groups compared to D of PT.
Fig 5
Fig 5. Individual responses, means, and standard deviation of the isometric and isokinetic parameters in the four groups.
PT: plyometric training, PTS: plyometric training with speed overload, PTW: plyometric training with weight overload, PTSW: plyometric training with speed and weight overload, ext: Extension, flx: Flexion, MVIC: Muscle voluntary isometric contraction, RFD: Average rate of force development, PTQ: Absolute peak torque, RPT: Relative peak torque, AP: Average power, s: Second, Nm: Newton meters.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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