1. THE EFFECTS OF PLYOMETRIC TRAINING ON JUMPING STRENGTH AND SOME ANTHROPOMETRIC FEATURES IN VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS AGED BETWEEN 14-16 Sabri Köse, Elvin Onarıcı Güngör Anadolu University, School of Physical Education and Sports, TURKEY INTRODUCTION It has been developed various training methods for improving jumping performance. One of these training methods is plyometric trainings which has been defined as drop jumping. (M.Günay et al. 1994). This training method related with Stretch Shortening Cycle (SSC). The basic muscle function is defined as the SSC (Komi 2000), where the pre activated muscle is first stretched (eccentric action) and then followed by the shortening (concentric) action. (Nicol Caroline et al. 2007) OBJECTIVES The aim of the present study is to determine the effects of plyometric training on jumping capacities of female volleyball players aged between 14 and 16. 22 Female volleyball players licensed at 2. Division. METHODS The subjects were given a pretest, a pre-mezosiklus test and a post mezosiklus test. According to the results of the pretest, the subjects were divided into two groups; a control group (n=11; ages: 15.18±0.60, weights: 53.00±4,89, tallness: 163.81±6.41) and an experimental group (n=11; ages:14.72±0.64, weights: 56.18±5.41, tallnesses: 169.72±2.14). While the control group was just given a volleyball training, the experimental group was given volleyball training and plyometrics training. In plyometric training, the box height was determined considering the breaking points of the players. (C.Bosco) Box heights were determined according to %70 of breaking points in first week, %80 of breaking points in second week, %100 of breaking points in third week, %50 of breaking points in forth week. In addition to the anthropometric features of the subjects, calf periphery (CP), thigh periphery (TP), and gluteal folding periphery (GFP) were measured with a tape measure. ‘‘Holtein’’ was used for the measurement of Calf skin-fold thickness and thigh skin-fold thicknesses. Heights were measured with wall meter method and weights were measured with an electronic weighting machine trademarked ‘‘Arzum’’. Jumping heights of the counter movement jumping (CMJ), squat jumping (SJ), drop jumping (DJ) and 15 second rebound jumping (RJ) were measured with Bosco Test Apparatus. Because of the differences on more than two measurement of control groups and experimental groups and considering the many features of the subjects, variant analyses (VA) was used for the double factor-repetitive measurements. Due to significant F value, the origin of the difference was determined by the Tukey Test. RESULTS At the end of the study it was observed that there was no statistically difference between groups (p>0.05). It was observed that there was a statistically meaningful difference between the CMJ 1-2, 1-3, 15 second rebound jumping 2-3, gluteal folding periphery 1-3, 2-3, thigh skin-fold thickness 1-2, 1-3, 2-3 and calf skin-fold thickness 1-3 measurements of the control group (p<0.05). On the other hand, it was found that there was a statistically meaningful difference between CMJ 1-2, 1-3, 15 second rebound jumping 1-2, 1-3, 2-3 Gluteal folding periphery 1-2, 1-3 thigh skin fold thickness 1-2, 1-3, 2-3 and Calf skin-fold thickness 1-2, 1-3, 2- 3 measurements of the experimental group. The Measurements of Control Group Pretest Measurements; CMJ: =:33.30cm, Sd=9.17, DJ: =29.92cm, Sd = 4.21,SS: =29.75cm, Sd=6.28 1. Post Mezosiklus Test; CMJ: =:29.17cm, Sd=4.24, DJ: =28.86cm,Sd= 3.97,SS: =26.25cm. Sd=2.55 2. Post Mezosiklus Test; CMJ: =30.00cm, Sd=2.98, DJ: =30.31cm, Sd=3.17,SJ: =29.13cm, Sd=2.50 The Measurements of Control Group Pretest Measurements; CMJ: =26.10cm,Sd= 4.29, DJ: =26.03cm,Sd=5.07,SJ: =25.86cm,Sd=5.61 1. Post Mezosiklus Test; CMJ: =29.14cm,Sd=2.87, DJ: =29.25cm,Sd=3.81,SS: =27.57cm,Sd=2.02 2. Post Mezosiklus Test; CMJ: =29.77cm,Sd=3.45, DJ: = jumping heights in CMJ and DJ are more than SJ which is static jump. DISCUSSION Plyometric trainings include difficult and complex noromuscular mechanisms. The effects of plyometric trainings are muscular and noromuscular.(T.Hazır, 1993) Basco and Komi found that CMJ and DJ heights more than SJ. Brown, Maynew and Boleach (1979) researched the effects of plyometric training which include 12 week in vertical jumping performance. They provide a performance improvment in 7.3 cm jumping height.(M.R.,1987) As a result, with the plyometric training, jumping strength could be improved however training programme have to be prepared by considering the developmental features of this age group. References 1. M.Günay,Y.Sevim,S.Savaş,A.E.Erol, Pliometrik Çalışmaların Sporcularda Vücut Yapısı ve Sıçrama Özelliklerine Etkisi, Spor Bilimleri Dergisi,C. VI,2, Ankara,38 – 45, 1994. 2. Nicol Caroline 1, Avela Janne2, Ishikawa Masaki2, Komi Paavo2 Neuromuscular Fatıgue Caused By Exhaustıve Ssc Exercıse, 12th Annual Congress of the ECSS, 11– 14 July 2007, Jyväskylä, Finland 3. C.Bosco, Phsiological Considerations on Vertical jump Exercise After Drops Form Variable Heigts, Canadıan Volleyball As. Press, İtaly, 53-57 4. T.Hazır, Eksantrik ve Konsantrik Kas Kasılmasında Oksijen Tüketimi, Bilim Uzmanlığ Tezi, Hacettepe Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Ankara, 27, 1993. 5. M.R. Shorten, Muscle Elasticity and Human Performance, Med.Sport Sci.,Vol. 25, Basel, 1-18, 1987.