Bharat Prasad1, Sukanta Das1, Sohom Saha2, Simran Obhrai3, Prashant Kumar Choudhary4, Suchishrava Choudhary1, Sunil Kumar5, Oyatra Utama Warda6
1Central University of South Bihar, Bihar, India
2Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India
3Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India
4Pondicherry University, Mahatma Gandhi Government College, North and Middle Andaman, India
5Parul University, Faculty of Liberal Arts, Department of Sports and Physical Education, Vadodara, Gujarat, India
6Universitas Negeri Padang, Sport Science Faculty, Padang, Indonesia
Effects of Unilateral and Bilateral Plyometric Training Integrated with Linear Sprinting on Physical Performance in Youth Male Cricketers
Sport Mont 2026, 24(3), Ahead of Print | DOI: 10.26773/smj.261012
Abstract
Cricket performance requires sprinting ability, explosive lower-limb power, change-of-direction speed, and unilateral force production. However, the comparative effects of unilateral, bilateral, and combined plyometric training integrated with sprinting remain unclear in youth cricketers. This randomized controlled trial compared unilateral plyometric training integrated with linear sprinting (UPS), bilateral plyometric training integrated with linear sprinting (BPS), combined unilat- eral and bilateral plyometric training integrated with linear sprinting (CBS), and regular cricket training alone as an active control condition (ACG). Forty-four male cricket players aged 14–18 years were randomly allocated to four groups of 11 participants. The intervention groups completed three supervised training sessions per week for six weeks, whereas the ACG continued its regular cricket training. The assessed outcomes were 10-m sprint time, 30-m sprint time, bilateral vertical-jump height, Illinois change-of-direction test time, and right- and left-leg vertical-jump height. Outcomes were measured before and after the intervention and analysed using a 4×2 mixed-design analysis of variance. Significant group × time interactions were observed for all outcomes. The CBS group demonstrated the greatest numerical improvements in 10-m sprint (−2.52%), 30-m sprint (−2.92%), bilateral vertical jump (13.35%), Illinois change-of-direction performance (−6.89%), right-leg vertical jump (12.35%), and left-leg vertical jump (14.34%). However, the available post hoc compar- isons did not establish significant between-group differences for the sprint or change-of-direction outcomes. The find- ings suggest that combined unilateral and bilateral plyometric training integrated with sprinting may improve multiple lower-limb performance qualities in youth male cricketers. Nevertheless, because the CBS group completed a greater plyometric training volume, the effects of exercise combination cannot be distinguished from those of training dose.
Keywords
plyometric exercise, sprinting, agility, muscle power, physical fitness, adolescent athletes
View full article
(PDF – 640KB)
References
Behm, D. G., Young, J. D., Whitten, J. H. D., Reid, J. C., Quigley, P. J., Low, J., ... Granacher, U. (2017). Effectiveness of Traditional Strength vs. Power Training on Muscle Strength, Power and Speed with Youth: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Frontiers in Physiology, 8, 423. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2017.00423
Bishop, C., Read, P., Chavda, S., & Turner, A. (2016). Asymmetries of the Lower Limb: The Calculation Conundrum in Strength Training and Conditioning. Strength and Conditioning Journal, 38. https://doi.org/10.1519/SSC.0000000000000264
Bishop, C., Weldon, A., Hughes, J., Brazier, J., Loturco, I., Turner, A., & Read, P. (2021). Seasonal Variation of Physical Performance and Inter-limb Asymmetry in Professional Cricket Athletes. Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 35(4), 941–948. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000003927
Cao, J., Xun, S., Zhang, R., & Zhang, Z. (2024). Effects of Unilateral, Bilateral and Combined Plyometric Jump Training on Asymmetry of Muscular Strength and Power, and Change-of-Direction in Youth Male Basketball Players. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 754–766. https://doi.org/10.52082/jssm.2024.754
Digra, K., Kishore, V., Kumar Singh, S., Singh, M., Harsh, M., Yenes, R., & Saha, S. (2026). Effects of accentuated eccentric loading on explosive strength and agility in basketball players. Pedagogy of Physical Culture and Sports, 30, 4–12. https://doi.org/10.15561/26649837.2026.0101
Granacher, U., Lesinski, M., Büsch, D., Muehlbauer, T., Prieske, O., Puta, C., ... Behm, D. G. (2016). Effects of Resistance Training in Youth Athletes on Muscular Fitness and Athletic Performance: A Conceptual Model for Long-Term Athlete Development. Frontiers in Physiology, 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2016.00164
Guan, Y., Bredin, S., Taunton, J., Jiang, Q., Wu, N., & Warburton, D. (2022). Association between Inter-Limb Asymmetries in Lower-Limb Functional Performance and Sport Injury: A Systematic Review of Prospective Cohort Studies. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 11(2), 360. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11020360
Hetzler, R. K., Stickley, C. D., Lundquist, K. M., & Kimura, I. F. (2008). Reliability and accuracy of handheld stopwatches compared with electronic timing in measuring sprint performance. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 22(6), 1969–1976. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e318185f36c
Johnstone, J., & Ford, P. (2010). Physiologic Profile of Professional Cricketers. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 24, 2900–2907. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181bac3a7
Lloyd, R., & Oliver, J. (2012). The Youth Physical Development Model. Strength and Conditioning Journal, 34, 61–72. https://doi.org/10.1519/SSC.0b013e31825760ea
Makaruk, H., Winchester, J. B., Sadowski, J., Czaplicki, A., & Sacewicz, T. (2011). Effects of Unilateral and Bilateral Plyometric Training on Power and Jumping Ability in Women. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 25(12), 3311–3318. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e318215fa33
Markovic, G., & Mikulic, P. (2010). Neuro-Musculoskeletal and Performance Adaptations to Lower-Extremity Plyometric Training. Sports Medicine, 40(10), 859–895. https://doi.org/10.2165/11318370-000000000-00000
McCurdy, K., & Langford, G. (2005). Comparison of unilateral squat strength between the dominant and non-dominant leg in men and women. Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, 4(2), 153–159.
McMahon, J. J., Suchomel, T. J., Lake, J. P., & Comfort, P. (2018). Understanding the Key Phases of the Countermovement Jump Force-Time Curve. Strength & Conditioning Journal, 40(4), 96–106. https://doi.org/10.1519/SSC.0000000000000375
Meylan, C., & Malatesta, D. (2009). Effects of in-season plyometric training within soccer practice on explosive actions of young players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 23(9), 2605–2613. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181b1f330
Musa, D., & Toriola, A. L. (2006). Estimation of power output from vertical jump: A comparison of three prediction equations. Journal of Human Movement Studies, 51, 11–20.
Nimphius, S., Callaghan, S. J., Bezodis, N. E., & Lockie, R. G. (2018). Change of Direction and Agility Tests: Challenging Our Current Measures of Performance. Strength & Conditioning Journal, 40(1), 26–38. https://doi.org/10.1519/SSC.0000000000000309
Pardos-Mainer, E., Lozano, D., Torrontegui-Duarte, M., Cartón-Llorente, A., & Roso-Moliner, A. (2021). Effects of Strength vs. Plyometric Training Programs on Vertical Jumping, Linear Sprint and Change of Direction Speed Performance in Female Soccer Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(2), 401. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18020401
Pote, L., & Christie, C. (2019). Workloads placed on adolescent cricket players: A pilot study. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 14, 107–113. https://doi.org/10.1177/1747954118810505
Pyne, D., Duthie, G., Saunders, P., Petersen, C., & Portus, M. (2006). Anthropometric and Strength Correlates of Fast Bowling Speed in Junior and Senior Cricketers. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 20, 620–626. https://doi.org/10.1519/R-18315.1
Ramirez-Campillo, R., Álvarez, C., García-Hermoso, A., Ramírez-Vélez, R., Gentil, P., Asadi, A., ... Izquierdo, M. (2018). Methodological Characteristics and Future Directions for Plyometric Jump Training Research: A Scoping Review. Sports Medicine, 48(5), 1059–1081. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-018-0870-z
Ramirez-Campillo, R., Castillo, D., Raya-González, J., Moran, J., De Villarreal, E. S., & Lloyd, R. S. (2020). Effects of Plyometric Jump Training on Jump and Sprint Performance in Young Male Soccer Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Sports Medicine, 50(12), 2125–2143. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-020-01337-1
Ramirez-Campillo, R., García-Hermoso, A., Moran, J., Chaabene, H., Negra, Y., & Scanlan, A. T. (2022). The effects of plyometric jump training on physical fitness attributes in basketball players: A meta-analysis. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 11(6), 656–670. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2020.12.005
Ramirez-Campillo, R., Sortwell, A., Moran, J., Afonso, J., Clemente, F. M., Lloyd, R. S., ... Granacher, U. (2023). Plyometric-Jump Training Effects on Physical Fitness and Sport-Specific Performance According to Maturity: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis. Sports Medicine - Open, 9(1), 23. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-023-00568-6
Rejc, E., Zaccaron, S., D’Alleva, M., Botter, A., & Lazzer, S. (2024). Effects of Bilateral or Unilateral Plyometric Training of Lower Limbs on the Bilateral Deficit During Explosive Efforts. Journal of Musculoskeletal & Neuronal Interactions, 24(2), 200–208.
Saha, S., Obhrai, S., Astuti, Y., Prince M, M., & Dhoni, K. (2025). Identifying the Acute Effects of Plyometric and Contrast Training on Acceleration and Agility in Young Rugby Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Physical Education Theory and Methodology, 25, 877–885. https://doi.org/10.17309/tmfv.2025.4.16
Sun, W., Li, H., Qu, L., Zhou, Y., Cao, X., Wang, K., & Li, K. (2025). Unilateral plyometric training effectively reduces lower limb asymmetry in athletes: A meta-analysis. Frontiers in Physiology, 16, 1551523. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2025.1551523
Tumkur Anil Kumar, N., Oliver, J. L., Lloyd, R. S., Pedley, J. S., & Radnor, J. M. (2021). The Influence of Growth, Maturation and Resistance Training on Muscle-Tendon and Neuromuscular Adaptations: A Narrative Review. Sports, 9(5), 59. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports9050059
Weyand, P. G., Sandell, R. F., Prime, D. N. L., & Bundle, M. W. (2010). The biological limits to running speed are imposed from the ground up. Journal of Applied Physiology, 108(4), 950–961. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00947.2009
Zhang, W., Xing, C., Xu, K., Xie, H., Li, D., Ding, S., & Sun, J. (2023). Effect of unilateral training and bilateral training on physical performance: A meta-analysis. Frontiers in Physiology, 14, 1128250. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2023.1128250