Effect of Depth Jumps on Agilityin Female Varsity Hockey Players

By: Sadie WhaleyAdvisor: Jeff Vossen

Co-Advisor: Angie KolenOctober 30th , 2013

AgendaIntroductionLiterature

ReviewPurposeMethodsProcedureTests

IntroductionPlyometrics are exercises used to increase power in

athletes (Fatourors, 2000)Power – amount of work a muscle can produce per unit

of time (Adams, O’Shea, O’Shea & Climstein, 1992)Plyometric exercises are characterized by a rapid

lengthening of the muscle followed immediately by a shortening muscle action (Miller, Herniman, Ricard, Cheatham & Michael, 2006)

Depth Jumps are continually used in plyometric studies (Flanagan, Ebben & Jensen, 2008)

Elite hockey training often uses plyometrics for strength and increasing speed (Ebben, Carroll & Simenz, 2004)

Agility and HockeyDuring hockey games, players are continually stopping,

starting and changing directionAgility – ability to maintain and control correct body

position while quickly changing direction through a series of movements (Yap & Brown, 2000)

Important skill in hockey – NHL Strength & Conditioning Coaches use this in training and testing (Ebben, Carroll & Simenz, 2004)

Power gained through plyometrics could improve agility as changing direction in an explosive manner requires a high force output (Asadi, 2012)

If plyometrics are already used to train to increase power, do they have an affect on any other skills?

Literature Review Authors Subjects Training

Protocol Analysis Conclusion

Thomas, French & Hayes, 2009

12 soccer players (Age = 17.3 +/- 0.4)

6 week depth jump and counter movement jump training

Mixed-factorial ANOVA

Significant increases (p<0.05) in both vertical jump (F[1,10] = 42.22) and agility (F[1,10] = 60.97)

Miller, Herniman, Ricard, Cheatham & Micheal , 2006

28 volunteers split into control and training group ( Age = 24.2 +/- 4.8)

6 weeks (2 times per week) various plyometric exercises

Single factor ANCOVAs were used

Significant increases in T-Test times, 4.86 %; Illinois Agility Test – 2.93 % and Vertical max – 10% (p<0.05)

Asadi, 2012 16 male college students split into DJ or CMJ training group

6 weeks (2 times per week) Depth Jump and counter movement jump

2 X 2 Analysis of variance were used

Significant increases in both Illinois Agility test and T-test scores for both groups (p<0.05)

PurposeThe main objective of this study is to

determine if a depth jump training program increase’s individuals agility and vertical jump

Hypothesis

I hypothesize that a depth jump training program will increase the subjects agility and

vertical jump height.

Subjects10 – 15 Female St. FX

Varsity Hockey athletes

No prior plyometric training required

No initiation of new lower body training regimen

Participation is voluntary and based on recruitment through Head Coach, David Synishin

MethodologyPre-tests will be performed following

Research Ethics Board approval and completion of Consent forms by participants

Training program will be initiated in second semester

Post-tests will be performed within a week of completion of the training program to ensure benefits are still present

Training Session Protocol6 weeks of training with 2 sessions per week

Warm up: 5 minutes on stationary bikeDynamic stretches

Training: Depth Jump Intensity basedon week protocol (See next slide)

Cool Down: 2 minutes on stationary bike followed by static stretches

Training Portion

• Entire training portion consists of depth jump

• 15 second rest between repetitions

• 3 minute rest between sets

(Read & Cisar, 2001)

Week Sets Repetitions

1 2 8 2 3 10 3 3 10 4 3 10 5 3 10

6 3 10

Week 1: Focus is familiarization (Gehri et al, 1998)Week 2-6: Focus on proper technique and power production

Depth Jump

Subjects will be instructed to step off a 40 cm box, land and perform a maximal vertical jump while

minimizing contact time.(Thomas, French & Hayes, 2009)

Testing Warm-up prior to testing

5 minute stationary cyclingDynamic Stretches

2 Practice trials for each test then record

Illinois Agility TestT-TestJump Height Test

Cool-down post testingStationary BikeStatic stetching

Illinois Agility TestDimensions will be measured using open reel long dimension tape measure

Light sensor stop-watches at start and finish gate to ensure accuracy

Observer at far line to ensure subjects reach the end

Considered standard test in agility (Sheppard & Young, 2006)

T-Test

(Miller, Herniam, Ricard, Cheatham & Michael, 2006)

Dimensions measured using open reel tape measure

Laser stop watch at start and finish to ensure accuracy

Vertical JumpComplete vertical jump on force plate Force plate measures impulse which can be

used to calculate vertical jump heightForce plate – PasPort 2-Axis Force Platform Model No, PS-2142Data imported to Microsoft excel

Statistical Analysis 2 X 3 Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with

Repeated Measures using SPSS Version 15.0.1

Dependent Variables: -Pre-test - Post-test

Independent Variables: - Illinois Agility Test- T-Test- Vertical Max

Acknowledgements

Jeff VossenAngie KolenGraham Kennedy St FX Human Kinetics

Department

Questions