Low intensity plyometrics versus PNF stretching on vertical jump height and agility in collegiate basketball players

Background: Speed, jump, agility are important components in basketball. Lack of skills in a variety of directions and in an uncontrolled manner has been shown to predispose a person to several musculoskeletal injuries and significantly affect a person’s level of performance. Objective: To determine the effectiveness of PNF stretching and Low Intensity Plyometrics training for improving vertical jump height and agility. Method: 60 participants of college basketball players were allocated into two groups (30 participants in each group). The outcome measure used was SVJT and IA test. Subjects of group A underwent with Low Intensity Plyometrics training, whereas the subjects of group B underwent with PNF stretching. For both experimental groups, the technique was performed three times a week for a total training period of four weeks. Results: The results of this study indicated significantly (p< 0.05) improvements in vertical jump height and agility from post- test occurred for both LIP and PNF groups when compared to pre- test. There were also no significant differences (p> 0.05) between groups. Conclusion: Both the treatment techniques found to be effective. However, Low Intensity Plyometrics showed better results when compared to PNF stretching in improving Vertical Jump Height and Agility in collegiate basketball players. Keywords: vertical jump height and agility, PNF stretching, Low intensity plyometrics, Sergent vertical jump test and Illinois agility test.