The Effect of Plyometric Training on Long Jump Performance in Junior Athletes

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of an 8-week plyometric training program on long jump performance with run-up in junior athletes practicing athletics, aged between 14 and 16 years. A total of 38 participants took part in the study, divided into a control group and an experimental group. The experimental group performed plyometric exercises twice per week, in addition to regular training. Performance was assessed before and after the intervention. The results showed an average performance increase of 15.0 cm in the experimental group, which was statistically significant (p < 0.001), compared with an increase of 1.7 cm in the control group. The effect size was very large (Cohen’s d = 2.17). The findings confirm the effectiveness of plyometric training in improving long jump performance in junior athletes.