Table 4.

Studies that investigated the effects of plyometric training programs on horizontal jump performance.

Study	Sex	Age (Mean) and Competitive Level	n	Design	Training Protocol	Main Results
Milić, Nejić [52]	N.R.	16 yo	46	Case reports; 6-week period intervention	Plyometric training group: 2 to 3 times per week (15 sessions in total during the experimental period). Five exercises (hurdle jump, depth jump, box jump sideways, lunge jumps and vertical jumps) for explosive leg strength. The number of sets varied between 2 and 4, and the repetitions between 6 and 12 during the training period.	A considerable increase in jumping skill was found among the members of the experimental group. Regarding the standing long jump, results reveal significant values (F = 5.55; p = 0.024).
Vassil and Bazanovk [54]	Men and women	14.4 for women and 17.0 yo for men	21	Case reports; 16-week period intervention	Twice a week. Squat jumps, lateral box push-offs, overhead throws, split squats, power drop, depth jumps, lateral hurdle jumps, plyometric push-ups and single-leg lateral hops were implemented. Each session had six exercises repeated twice (two sets), varying the repetitions between 8 and 15.	The women averaged changes from 194.8 ± 13.2 cm to 203.3 ± 13.2 cm (p > 0.05). and men’s results averaged improvements of 240.9 ± 16.7 cm to 248 ± 15.5 cm (p > 0.05). The women’s average depth leap long jump girl’s group average increased from 185.3 ± 14.7 cm to 193.8 ± 13.6 cm (p > 0.05), and the men’s results averaged an increase from 238.3 ± 17 cm to 246.4 ± 17.7 cm (p > 0.05).
Gjinovci, Idrizovic [48]	Women	21.9 yo	41	Randomized controlled trial; 12-week period intervention	Two experimental groups: Plyometric and skill-based. Each group had two sessions per week. Plyometric training included lower-body exercises (leg hops, vertical jumps, tuck jumps, lateral/diagonal jumps, broad jumps, obstacle jumps, box jumps and drop jumps) and upper body exercises (throwing exercises). The total of sets/week varied between 12 and 24 depending on the body part, and the repetitions between 40 and 58/week. Skill-based training consisted of volleyball drills, small-sided games and game drills.	The plyometric group significantly (p < 0.05) reduced their body-mass (trivial ES differences; 1% pre- to post-measurement changes) and improved their performance in the horizontal jump test (moderate ES differences; 7.6% changes). Players involved in skill-based-conditioning improved their capacities for horizontal jumping (small ES differences; 3.1% changes).
Çımenlı, Koç [57]	Male	18 to 24 yo	N = 36 12 control group, 12 wooden surface group, 12 synthetic surface group	Randomized controlled trial; 12-week period intervention	Plyometric training was practiced 3 days per week for 8 weeks. Each training session lasted about 50–60 min. Subjects performed 1 or 2 sets of 10 repetitions according to the training number (1 to 24). The tests applied to verify the horizontal jump were the right and left foot jump; double foot jump; right and left foot by taking a step.	In intra-group comparisons of the control group’s right foot, left foot, double foot and left foot by taking one step jump and the experimental group’s right foot, left foot, double foot, right foot by taking one step jump and left foot by taking one step jump values displayed a significant difference (p < 0.05). However, the experimental group’s right foot taking one step jump values did not differ significantly from the control group’s. During the post-test comparisons between groups, a significant difference was found between the right foot, taking a step with the right foot, and taking a step with the left foot values (p < 0.05). On the other hand, the right foot and double foot jump values did not differ significantly.

Yo: years old; N.R.: not reported.