Effects of a sprint and plyometric warm-up protocol on vertical jump height and power in adolescent female volleyball players: A randomized crossover study

The purpose of this study was to compare the immediate effects of a plyometric warm-up protocol (PWU) and a sprint warm-up protocol (SWU) on jumping performance in female volleyball players aged 14-16 years. Through a cross-over experimental design, 18 female players were randomly divided into two groups, each receiving both warm-up protocols (PWU and SWU). Before and after each protocol, height and jumping power were evaluated in squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), and Abalakov (ABK) tests using the DM jump® contact mat. Both warm-up protocols significantly improved SJ, CMJ, and ABK performance (p.05), although the greatest percentage increase in jump height and power was obtained with the SWU. The ANOVA showed significant differences in group 1 (initially assigned to PWU) for all tests except for CMJ and ABK power. In group 2 (initial-ly assigned to SWU), the ANOVA also showed significant differences, except for SJ and CMJ power. It is concluded that both warm-up protocols improve jump height and power; however, SWU shows a more favorable trend than PWU. From a practical perspec-tive, the preliminary findings of this pilot study can provide useful guidelines for the warm-up process; however, further randomized controlled studies with adequate statistical power are required for more robust conclusions. El propósito de este estudio fue comparar los efectos inmediatos de un protocolo de calentamiento pliométrico (PWU) y un protocolo de calentamiento de sprint (SWU) sobre el rendimiento de salto en jugadoras de vóleibol de 14-16 años. Mediante un diseño experimental cruzado, 18 jugadoras fueron divididas aleatoriamente en dos grupos, cada uno de los cuales recibió ambos protocolos de calentamiento (PWU y SWU). Antes y después de cada protocolo, se evaluó la altura y la potencia en las pruebas de salto en cuclillas (SJ), salto con contramovimiento (CMJ) y Abalakov (ABK) utilizando la alfombra de contacto DM jump®. Ambos protocolos de calentamiento mejoraron significativamente el rendimiento en SJ, CMJ y ABK (p.05), aunque el mayor incremento porcentual en la altura y potencia de salto se obtuvo con el SWU. El ANOVA mostró diferen-cias significativas