COMPARING PRESEASON FRONTAL AND SAGITTAL PLANE PLYOMETRIC PROGRAMS ON VERTICAL JUMP HEIGHT IN HIGH-SCHOOL BASKETBALL PLAYERS JEFFREY A. KING 1 AND DANIEL J. CIPRIANI 2 1 School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences Kinesology Graduate Program, San Diego State University, San Diego, California; and 2 School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, San Diego State University, San Diego, California ABSTRACT King, JA and Cipriani, DJ. Comparing preseason frontal and sagittal plane plyometric programs on vertical jump height in high-school basketball players. J Strength Cond Res 24(8): 2109–2114, 2010—The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate whether frontal plane (FP) plyometrics, which are defined as plyometrics dominated with a lateral component, would produce similar increases in vertical jump height (VJH) compared to sagittal plane (SP) Plyometrics. Thirty-two junior varsity and varsity high-school basketball players participated in 6 weeks of plyometric training. Players participated in either FP or SP plyometrics for the entire study. Vertical jump height was measured on 3 occasions: preintervention (baseline), at week 3 of preparatory training, and at week 6 of training. Descriptive statistics were calculated for VJH. A 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures was used to test the difference in mean vertical jump scores using FP and SP training modalities. Results showed a significant effect over time for vertical jump (p , 0.001). Moreover, a significant time by protocol interaction was noted (p , 0.032). A 1-way ANOVA demonstrated that only the SP group demonstrated improve- ments over time, in VJH, p , 0.05. The FP group did not improve statistically. The data from this study suggest that FP plyometric training did not have a significant effect on VJH and significant improvement in VJH was seen in subjects partici- pating in SP plyometrics thus reinforcing the specificity principle of training. However, coaches should implement both types of plyometrics because both training modalities can improve power and quickness among basketball players. KEY WORDS specificity training, jumping, explosiveness, sport conditioning INTRODUCTION T o be successful in sports in which jumping tasks are a constant element of the sport’s movement (i.e., basketball, football, and volleyball), it is imperative that athletes be explosive. Therefore, the need for power development training is vital for an athlete to be efficient explosively. Many trainers and strength coaches devote substantial time working on power development training (11). A common measure of power development is the vertical jump test. The vertical jump is an essential motor skill in sport training and performance evaluation and is the manifestation of explosive strength (15). Many factors come into play in developing a successful explosive vertical jump; muscle fiber recruitment and attachment, lever arm length, musculature, and central nervous system stimulation con- tribute to this activity (15). Strength and conditioning coaches work to improving an athlete’s lower body power output by implementing plyometrics into their respected programs (14). Plyometrics are defined as short, explosive movements activating the stretch-shortening cycle to develop eccentric strength, elasticity, and explosiveness. Plyometrics are broken up into 4 phases: the momentum phase, where the body is in motion from the kinetic energy drawn from a prior action; the constant instant phase, the period where momentum ceases because of contact with a surface; the amortization phase, in which the stored kinetic energy manufactures a stretch reflex and subsequently an eccentric contraction followed by an explosive action; and the rebound phase, in which elastic energy is released from connective tissue and an involuntary concentric contraction occurs because of the stretch reflex. (5). All 4 phases must be executed correctly to develop an explosive jump. In a basketball player, the ability to be explosive in the lower body is important because this sport is plyometric in nature, for example, constant jumping. A recent study in male college basketball players suggested a strong relationship between vertical jumping ability and playing time (6). Studies have shown implementation of a plyometric program can improve vertical jump in athletes at various levels (1,3,4,9). Explosive training implemented properly leads to better motor unit recruitment, enhanced motor unit Address correspondence to Jeffrey A. King, king-jeffrey@cox.net and Daniel Cipriani, cipriani@mail.sdsu.edu. 24(8)/2109–2114 Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research Ó 2010 National Strength and Conditioning Association VOLUME 24 | NUMBER 8 | AUGUST 2010 | 2109 Copyright © National Strength and Conditioning Association Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.