EVALUATING THE EFFECT OF COMBINED PROPRIOCEPTIVE AND PLYOMETRIC TRAINING PROGRAMS ON SKYRUNNING PERFORMANCE IN DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Abstract

Aim. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of proprioceptive training in various environmental contexts (standard, mid-mountain terrain simulation, and natural mid-mountain settings) for sky­runners. Materials and methods. The study involved 30 skyrunners who participated in a specifically designed program integrating proprioceptive and plyometric training. This program was uniform in content, structure, volume, and intensity, yet applied in different environmental conditions. Athletes were tested at baseline and after 6 months of the training course. The assessment methods included a force platform for measuring static and dynamic postural control, a variety of jumping tests on an infrared mat, and performance evaluations for 1000 meters of uphill and downhill running (500 meters each, with a gradient of 30°). Results. Significant improvements were observed in static postural control across all experimental groups. Notably, changes were most evident among athletes training in simulated mid-mountain and natural environments. The group undergoing training in the natural mid-mountain environment showed a notable 6.6% improvement in the time taken to complete 1000-m uphill and downhill running (t-value – 3.14, p ≤ 0.05), surpassing the performance of other training groups. Conclusion. The new data demonstrate the effectiveness of incorporating combined proprioceptive and plyometric exercises into a training regimen for skyrunners, yielding substantial performance enhancement regardless of the external environmental contexts. Such protocols can be introduced throughout the annual training cycle. Moreover, natural and climatic factors offer a valuable adaptive element, potentially optimizing performance during specific phases.