Effects of plyometric training on different surfaces on lower-limb power, dynamic balance, and agility in male collegiate tennis players.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the effects of plyometric training (PT) on different surfaces on lower extremity power, dynamic balance, and agility in male Tier 2(Trained/Developmental) collegiate tennis players.

METHODS

Thirty participants were randomly divided into a sand PT group (SAND),a hard-ground PT group (HARD), and a control group (CON), with 10 players in each group. The experimental groups underwent 8 weeks of PT 3 times per week, while the control group maintained regular tennis training. Pre- and post-intervention measurements included countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ), elastic utilization ratio (EUR), reactive strength index (RSI), approach vertical jump (AVJ), standing long jump (SLJ), Y-balance test, hexagon jump test, and T-test.

RESULTS

After 8 weeks of intervention, CMJ, and SJ values were significantly higher in the SAND and HARD groups than in the CON group (p < 0.05). Compared with pre-intervention, the SAND group increased CMJ by 10.4%, and SJ by 18.5%; the HARD group increased CMJ by 19.2% and SJ by 15.7%. The HARD group showed greater improvements in RSI (10.0%) and AVJ (6.5%), whereas the SAND group exhibited a significant reduction in EUR (-39.5%) and a more pronounced enhancement in SLJ (6.2%) (p < 0.05). For dynamic balance, only the SAND group displayed significant increases in anterior reach distance of both legs (left: 9.0%; right: 8.3%) (p < 0.05). Regarding agility, hexagon jump performance improved significantly in both SAND (-6.2%) and HARD groups (-9.2%) (p < 0.05), with no significant between-group differences observed in the T-test.

CONCLUSION

These findings indicate that both sand and hard-ground PT effectively enhance lower extremity power and general agility in collegiate tennis players. Hard-ground training is more beneficial for the development of stretch shortening cycle capacity and vertical power, while sand training better improves horizontal power and single-leg dynamic balance. Training surfaces should be selected according to periodized goals to synergistically optimize sport-specific fitness and injury prevention.