A Comparative Analysis of the Effects of Plyometric Training on the Psychological Well-Being and Self-Confidence of Adolescent Athletes

yati

Authors

yati Author

Keywords:

Adolescent athletes, Plyometric training, Psychological well-being, Self-confidence

Abstract

This study explored the subjective experiences of adolescent athletes regarding the role of plyometric training in shaping psychological well-being and self-confidence. The study used a qualitative phenomenological approach involving 15 adolescent athletes aged 13 to 17 years from two sports academies in Jakarta and Bandung. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, participatory observation, and training journal documentation over six months. The findings showed that plyometric training strengthened athletes’ perceptions of physical competence, increased self-confidence, and supported emotional regulation during training and competition. Participants reported that repeated mastery experiences, visible progress, and constructive feedback from coaches encouraged them to take greater initiative, manage competitive anxiety, and maintain motivation. The study also found that social support from coaches and peers played an important role in creating a psychologically safe training environment. These findings indicate that plyometric training has value beyond physical performance improvement. It can support holistic adolescent athlete development when combined with positive coaching, reflective practice, and supportive team interaction. The study contributes to sports education and sports psychology by highlighting the subjective meaning of training experiences in the development of self-confidence, motivation, and psychological well-being among adolescent athletes.

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