Blood lactate responses to plyometric training in cricket players of different maturity level: a randomised controlled trial
Previous studies commonly examined the acute effect of plyometric exercise on blood lactate. To the best of our knowledge, no study has examined the effect of short-term plyometric training on blood lactate levels of cricket players. To investigate the effect of an 8 week plyometric training program on blood lactate concentration in cricket players of different maturity level. 55 healthy male cricket players (aged 14-35 years) were categorised into 14-17, 18-25 and 26-35 groups. Blood lactate concentration (BLAC) was assessed before and after 8 weeks of the intervention period. Regardless of the maturity level, a significant reduction in BLAC was observed in the experimental cricketers (P<0.05) in response to 8 weeks of training. Blood lactate responses did not vary significantly in 14-17, 18-25 and 26-35 groups of cricket players following plyometric training. Plyometric training significantly reduced BLAC in cricket players despite non-significant differences amongst 14-17, 18-25 and 26-35 groups. Plyometric training could be recommended for adolescent (14-17) and adult cricketers (18-25 and 26-35) for improving their physiological capacities so as to develop optimal performance.