INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECTS OF PLYOMETRIC EXERCISES ON AGILITY, BALANCE, FLEXIBILITY AND DEPTH OF GROUND STROKES İN TENNIS PLAYERS AGED BETWEEN 9-12

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effects of plyometric training on agility, balance, flexibility, and groundstroke depth in 9-12-year-old tennis players. A randomized controlled experimental design was employed in this cross-sectional study. Sixteen tennis players aged 9-12 participated in the study. Eight participants formed the control group and continued with their regular tennis training, while the other eight formed the experimental group and additionally performed plyometric training three times a week for four weeks. Pro-agility test, flamingo balance test, sit-and-reach test, and ITN groundstroke depth test were administered to all participants before and after the study. Paired samples t-tests revealed significant differences between pre- and post-test scores in all parameters except right-side flexibility for the experimental group (p<0.05). No significant differences were found between pre- and post-test scores in the control group (p>0.05). Independent samples t-tests comparing the differences between pre- and post-test scores of the two groups showed significant differences in favor of the experimental group in all parameters except right and left side flexibility and agility (p<0.05). Article visualizations: