Os efeitos do treinamento pliométrico sobre o desempenho do tempo de resposta em praticantes de esportes de combate de percussão

Abstract

Reaction time is an important variable in combat sports, as it depends on both central mechanisms (perception and information processing) and peripheral mechanisms (movement execution). Additionally, the ability to maximize force production in the shortest possible time can enhance muscle contraction speed and make strikes faster. However, little is known about the effects of power training adaptations on overall reaction time performance in combat sports practitioners. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effects of six weeks of plyometric training on the performance of simple and choice reaction times (SRT and CRT, respectively) in striking combat sports athletes. For this purpose, 16 volunteers were divided into two groups: traditional training group (TTG = 8) and TTG + plyometric training group (TTG+PLYO = 8). Participants were assessed at two time points (pre- and post-intervention) for SRT and CRT in specific semicircular kick tasks, as well as for countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ), horizontal jump (HJ), and reactive strength index (RSI). The TTG+PLYO group followed a six-week plyometric training (PT) program, training twice a week in addition to their regular sport-specific training. In contrast, the TTG group continued with their regular training only. For statistical analysis, a two-way ANOVA (group × time) and an independent t-test were used to evaluate the percentage of variation between groups. A significance level of p < 0.05 was adopted. Results showed no significant group × time interaction for SRT (F = 0.73; p = 0.40; η2 = 0.003) or CRT (F = 0.04; p = 0.83; η2 = 0.001). Regarding jump performance, only SJ presented a significant group × time interaction (F = 6.16, p = 0.026, η2 = 0.01), with an increase in jump height observed only in the TTG+PLYO group (pre = 30.3 ± 5.7 cm, post = 33.4 ± 5.8 cm, p = 0.01) and a significant difference in percentage variation (TTG: 0.4 ± 4.8%; TTG+PLYO: 9.1 ± 8.1%; p = 0.02). Additionally, RSI showed a significant variation only for the TTG+PLYO group (TTG = -2.3 ± 8.3%; TTG+PLYO = 24.4 ± 31.4%; p = 0.03). We conclude that six weeks of PT improved the physical performance related to power production in the TTG+PLYO group, without significant improvements in overall specific reaction time performance in combat sports practitioners.