Unilateral and bilateral Influence of pliometric training in lower limb power and asymmetry in karatekas

Abstract

Karate consists of a multitude of actions performed with the undercarriage which must be carried out with the greatest force and in the shortest time possible. In this sport, jumps and kicks are two techniques that require high values of explosive force and are also the most performed in competition. There is a relationship between plyometric training and sports performance, as well as between muscular asymmetries and the increase in the probability of suffering an injury. The aim of this study was to test the effects of two plyometric training methodologies, monopodal versus bipodal, on the explosive strength values of the lower body and the correction of asymmetries in karatekas. 20 competitors of the kumite modality voluntarily participated in the research. The values of the explosive force were evaluated by means of the CMJ and horizontal jump test, and the asymmetries by means of Bishop’s formula. Both training methodologies increased explosive force values and reduced asymmetries. Bipodal training was shown to be the most effective, predicting with an 80% probability an improvement in monopodal horizontal jumping with the non-dominant leg over monopodal training. Both trainings were shown to be effective in preventing injuries and improving performance.