The Comparison of the Effects of Unilateral vs. Bilateral Plyometric Training on Performance Indicators in Trained Adolescent Boys

Introduction: Previous studies have established the positive effects of plyometric exercises on athletic performance, but a lack of consensus regarding the effectiveness of unilateral versus bilateral exercise training as a variable in plyometric exercises has yet remained.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of eight weeks of unilateral vs. bilateral plyometric exercises on the performance indicators of adolescent boys.
Methods: 30 male students with the age range of 14-17 years were placed in two groups of unilateral and bilateral plyometric exercise training groups. Before and after eight weeks of training, anthropometric indicators, including height, weight and body mass index, as well as speed (30 m sprint), agility (T agility test), explosive power (vertical jump), lower limb strength (leg dynamometer) and the anaerobic capacity (RAST anaerobic test) were measured. Adolescent male students conducted the exercise training program for eight weeks with a frequency of three sessions per week. ANCOVA statistical method was used to analyze the data.
Results: Speed and agility showed significant decrease following bilateral plyometric training compared to unilateral plyometric exercise training (P=0.047 and p=0.028 respectively). But significant difference was not observed in explosive power (P=0.793), lower limb static power (P=0.660), peak anaerobic power (P=0.912), average anaerobic power (P=0.891), Minimum anaerobic power (P=0.114) and fatigue index (P=0.893) between training groups.
Conclusion: It seems that bilateral plyometric exercise training schedules improves anaerobic characteristics of physical fitness (speed and agility) more positively compared to unilateral training schedules.