Effect of Plyometric and Theraband Tainings on Ankle Proprioception and Strength in Adolescent Soccer Players

Ankle joint proprioception and strength play an important role in its stability. Preventing ankle injuries in soccer functional movements requires accurate proprioceptive information and sufficient strength. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the effect of eight weeks plyometric and theraband trainings on ankle proprioception and strength in adolescent soccer players.

Among Isfahan adolescent soccer players, thirty were purposively and conveniently selected and randomly divided into two groups of 15 namely plyometric (age=12.87±2.64 yrs, height=151.80±14.15 cm, weight=46.50±12.16 kg) and theraband (age=13.40±0.91 yrs, height=151.20±6.67 cm, weight=41.53±8.87 kg). Two groups performed their training programs for 8 weeks and 3 times per week. Each training session last for 45 minutes. Ankle angle restoring test in 15º for ankle inversion-eversion proprioception, and plantar and dorsiflexion strength tests were used before and after the training program. Repeated-measure analysis of variance was employed for data analysis with the significance level of (p≤0.05).

Within group differences results for plyometric group showed significant decrease in angle restoration error (p≤0.05) and increase in ankle dorsi and plantar flexion (p≤0.05). Also, the results of this study showed that theraband training decreased angle restoration error (p≤0.05) and increased ankle plantar and dorsi flexion strength (p≤0.05). However, there were no significant differences in ankle proprioception and strength between two groups (p≥0.05).

According to the results of this study, each two type of plyometric and theraband trainings improve ankle proprioception and strength and there was no differences in effectiveness of two training protocols. It is recommended to athletic trainers and clinicians to use these two training protocols in order to improve ankle proprioception and strength.