NCT07399548

Effects of 8-Week Plyometric Training on Basketball Performance and Isokinetic Strength

Effects of Plyometric Training on Linear Sprint, Change-of-Direction, and Isokinetic Strength Performances in Male Basketball Players

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 24 (actual)
• Sponsor: Kastamonu University · Academic / Other
• Sex: Male
• Age: 18 Years – 22 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This study aims to evaluate the effects of an 8-week plyometric training program on the physical performance of male basketball players. The research focuses on measuring improvements in linear sprinting speed, change-of-direction (agility) abilities, and vertical jump height. Additionally, the study examines changes in the participants' muscle strength through isokinetic testing. Twenty-four trained basketball players were divided into two groups: the control group followed their regular basketball training, while the experimental group added specific plyometric exercises, such as jumps and bounds, twice per week. By comparing the results before and after the 8-week intervention period, the study seeks to determine if this training method effectively enhances the athletic skills required in competitive basketball.

Detailed description

This randomized controlled trial was designed to investigate the multidimensional effects of a structured plyometric training (PT) intervention on competitive male basketball players. While vertical jump performance is a common focus in PT research, this study specifically evaluates the transfer of adaptations to sport-specific locomotor tasks and isokinetic muscle strength profiles.Participants (N = 24) were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (EG) or a control group (CG). Both groups maintained their standard basketball training, including shooting, 3-on-3 games, and defensive drills. The EG performed an additional 8-week progressive plyometric program twice weekly, consisting of exercises such as box jumps, depth jumps, and bounding, with a total volume ranging from 80 to 140 ground contacts per session. Training volume was meticulously logged, and an adherence rate of at least 85% was required for inclusion in the final analysis.Performance was evaluated through a comprehensive testing battery conducted pre- and post-intervention under standardized conditions. The primary outcomes focused on linear sprint speed (25-meter sprint) and change-of-direction (CoD) ability (V-cut test), which are critical for the high-intensity demands of basketball. Secondary outcomes included vertical jump height measured via countermovement jump (CMJ) with and without arm swing, and isokinetic knee and hip strength assessed at angular velocities of 60 degrees per second and 180 degrees per second.The study hypothesized that the addition of PT would lead to superior gains in sprint and CoD performance compared to basketball training alone. Furthermore, it aimed to explore whether these performance improvements are accompanied by significant changes in isokinetic torque production. Data were analyzed using a 2 (Time) x 2 (Group) repeated-measures ANOVA to identify significant interactions. Normality was verified using Skewness and Kurtosis z-scores, with Winsorization applied to outliers to maintain data robustness.

Conditions

• Athletic Performance
• Physical Fitness
• Muscle Strength
• Plyometric Exercise Adaptations
• Neuromuscular Performance in Athletes

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	8-Week Progressive Plyometric Training Program	The intervention consists of a structured 8-week progressive plyometric training (PT) program designed specifically for competitive basketball players. It is performed twice weekly as a supplement to standard technical and tactical basketball drills. 1. Progressive Volume: The training dosage is strictly controlled based on ground contacts per session, progressing from 80 contacts during Weeks 1 to 2, up to 140 contacts during Weeks 7 to 8. 2. Movement Protocols: The protocol includes multi-planar movements such as vertical (box jumps, countermovement jumps), horizontal (broad jumps), and lateral (lateral bounds) exercises to simulate basketball-specific demands. 3. Execution \& Recovery: Exercises are performed at maximal effort, focusing on minimizing ground contact time to optimize the stretch-shortening cycle (SSC). Sessions occur on a standard basketball court for surface adaptation. A recovery period of 48 to 72 hours is provided between sessions to prevent overtraining.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-12-30
• Primary completion: 2026-01-30
• Completion: 2026-01-31
• First posted: 2026-02-10
• Last updated: 2026-02-10

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)