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BRIEF REVIEW

A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW: PLYOMETRIC TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN
BARBARA A. JOHNSON,1 CHARLES L. SALZBERG,2
1

AND

DAVID A. STEVENSON1,3

Movement Analysis Laboratory, Shriners Hospitals for Children Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City, Utah; 2Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation, Utah State University, Logan, Utah; and 3Department of Pediatrics, Division ofMedical Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah

ABSTRACT
Johnson, BA, Salzberg, CL, and Stevenson, DA. A systematic review: plyometric training programs for young children. J Strength Cond Res 25(9): 2623–2633, 2011—The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of plyometric training for improving motor performance in young children; to determine ifthis type of training could be used to improve the strength, running speed, agility, and jumping ability of children with low motor competence; and to examine the extent and quality of the current research literature. Primary research articles were selected if they (a) described the outcomes of a plyometric exercise intervention; (b) included measures of strength, balance, running speed, jumpingability, or agility; (c) included prepubertal children 5–14 years of age; and (d) used a randomized control trial or quasiexperimental design. Seven articles met the inclusion criteria for the final review. The 7 studies were judged to be of low quality (values of 4–6). Plyometric training had a large effect on improving the ability to run and jump. Preliminary evidence suggests plyometric trainingalso had a large effect on increasing kicking distance, balance, and agility. The current evidence suggests that a twice a week program for 8–10 weeks beginning at 50– 60 jumps a session and increasing exercise load weekly results in the largest changes in running and jumping performance. An alternative program for children who do not have the capability or tolerance for a twice a week program wouldbe a lowintensity program for a longer duration. The research suggests that plyometric training is safe for children when parents provide consent, children agree to participate, and safety guidelines are built into the intervention.

INTRODUCTION

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KEY WORDS strength, running speed, agility, jumping ability, motor competence, prepubertal children

Address correspondence to Barbara A.Johnson, bajohnson@shrinenet. org. 25(9)/2623–2633 Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research Ó 2011 National Strength and Conditioning Association

mproving physical activity is a national health initiative for children of all abilities (22). Current national health initiatives recommend 60 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous physical activity most days of the week for school-agedchildren. The physical activity should be enjoyable, developmentally appropriate, and should consist of a variety of activities. Children have the opportunity to begin playing competitive sports at the age of 7–8. However, before that time, young school-aged children engage in playground games and recreational sports where they run, skip, hop, jump, kick, and throw. Children with low motor competence havelower levels of physical fitness (13), lower levels of physical activity (24), and participate in fewer organized recreational and play activities (2). Wrotniak et al. (24) suggested that running and jumping are fundamental skills for participation in active games and sports. Therefore, improving running and jumping in children with low motor competence may be an appropriate intervention forincreasing physical fitness, for increasing physical activity levels, and for improving participation in recreational and play activities. However, there is a paucity of research on interventions that aim specifically to improve running and jumping ability in children with low motor competence or in young children. Plyometric exercise starts with a rapid stretch of a muscle followed by a rapid...