The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of 3 different training protocols-plyometric training, weight training, and their combination on the vertical jump performance, anaerobic power and muscular strength. Based on their training, forty-eight male college students were divided into 4 groups: a plyometric training group (n=13), a weight training group (n=11), a plyometric plus weight training group (n=14), and a control group (n=10). The vertical jump, the fifty-yard run and maximal leg strength were measured before and after a six-week training period. Subjects in each of the training groups trained 2 days per week, whereas control subjects did not participate in any training activity. The data was analyzed by a 1-way analysis of variance (repeated-measures design). The results showed that all the training treatments elicited significant (P<0.05) improvement in all of the tested variables. However, the combination training group showed signs of improvement in the vertical jump performance, the 50 yard dash, and leg strength that was significantly greater than the improvement in the other 2 training groups (plyometric training and weight training). This study provides support for the use of a combination of traditional weight training and plyometric dr ills to improve the vertical jumping ability, explosive performance in general and leg strength.
