Effects of Upper and Lower Body Plyometric Training on Kickboxing Anaerobic Speed Test Performance

NCT07067918 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: ETU-BAEK-2025-02-10
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 32
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study examined the effects of two different types of jump training-one focused on the upper body and the other on the lower body-on the athletic performance of elite male kickboxers. Over a 12-week period, athletes followed specific exercise programs designed to increase explosive power in either the arms or the legs, while continuing their normal kickboxing training. Researchers used a special performance test called the Kickboxing Anaerobic Speed Test (KAST), which measures how fast and powerfully athletes can punch and kick over a short time. The results showed that while both training methods improved performance, the group that did lower-body jump training (e.g., leg-focused exercises) showed greater gains. This suggests that strong and explosive legs play a key role in powerful strikes and quick movements in kickboxing. In summary, lower-body jump training is more effective than upper-body jump training in improving sport-specific speed and power in elite male kickboxers.

Conditions

Effects of Upper and Lower Body Plyometric Training on Anaerobic Performance in Combat Sport Athletes; Sport-specific Anaerobic Performance in Elite Male Kickboxers

Keywords

Plyometrics; anaerobic performance; sport-specific; KAST; combat sports

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Best score time in the Kickboxing Anaerobic Speed Test (KASTbest)

  The best completion time for a five-technique striking sequence performed at maximum intensity. A lower score indicates better anaerobic performance.

  Measured at baseline and 12 weeks

• Performance Decrement Index (PDI)

  The ratio between the athlete's best performance time and cumulative performance across sets, used to assess fatigue resistance during high-intensity intermittent effort.

  Measured at baseline and 12 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Total time in the Kickboxing Anaerobic Speed Test (KASTtotal)

  Measured at baseline and 12 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Arm 1 - Upper Body Plyometric Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group completed a 12-week upper-body plyometric training program including medicine ball throws, plyometric push-ups, and explosive arm drills.

Other: Upper Body Plyometric Training

Arm 2 - Lower Body Plyometric Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group followed a 12-week lower-body plyometric training protocol including squat jumps, depth jumps, and lateral hurdle jumps.

Other: Lower Body Plyometric Training

Interventions

Upper Body Plyometric Training OTHER

Upper Body Plyometric Training - Intervention Description: A 12-week upper-body plyometric training protocol designed to enhance explosive upper-extremity power in elite male kickboxers. Exercises included medicine ball chest passes, overhead throws, plyometric push-ups, clap push-ups, and rotational medicine ball throws. Training was performed three times per week (20-30 minutes per session) in addition to regular kickboxing practice.

Arm 1 - Upper Body Plyometric Group

Lower Body Plyometric Training OTHER

Lower Body Plyometric Training - Intervention Description: A 12-week lower-body plyometric training program targeting explosive leg strength and anaerobic performance in elite male kickboxers. The program included countermovement jumps, squat jumps, lateral hurdle jumps, plyometric bounding, tuck jumps, and depth jumps. Sessions were conducted three times per week (20-30 minutes each), alongside regular kickboxing training.

Arm 2 - Lower Body Plyometric Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Male participants aged 18 to 35 years
• At least 5 years of structured kickboxing training
• Active competition status within the last 3 years
• Minimum of one national or international medal in the past 2 years
• Provided written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• No formal kickboxing training history
• No competitive activity in the last 3 years
• No documented medal success at national or international level
• Failure to meet informed consent or ethical participation requirements

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa: lead

Study Sites (1)

Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa

Istanbul, 34320, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor, Ph.D.

Model Details: Participants were randomly assigned to one of two parallel groups: upper-body plyometric training or lower-body plyometric training. Both groups continued their standard kickboxing training while following a 12-week intervention protocol.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 7, 2025
• First Posted: July 16, 2025
• Study Start: February 15, 2025
• Primary Completion: May 22, 2025
• Study Completion: June 10, 2025
• Last Updated: July 16, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)