Micro-Dosed vs. Traditional Plyometric Training in Elite Youth Soccer

NCT07193706 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 409/2024
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 24
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a micro-dosed plyometric training program works as well as a traditional plyometric program for improving speed and explosive abilities in elite under-19 soccer players during the pre-season. The main questions are:

• Traditional Training Group: 2 sessions per week, about 40 minutes each.
• Micro-dosed Group: 3-4 shorter sessions per week, about 20 minutes each. Both groups will complete the same total weekly training volume. Participants will:
• Take part in an 8-week plyometric training program during pre-season.
• Complete performance tests (CM jump tests, a 30-meter sprint, and a 15-0-5 change-of-direction test, broad jump test, drop jump test) before and after 8-week plyometric intervention, . This study will help coaches and players understand if shorter, more frequent plyometric training sessions can be a good alternative to traditional longer sessions when weekly training load is matched.

Conditions

Plyometric Exercises; Soccer Performance; Speed; Explosive Strength; Microdosing

Keywords

Micro-dosed plyometric training; Youth soccer players; Explosive strength; Sprint performance; reactive strength

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Change in countermovement jump (CMJ) jump height

  Change in vertical jump height (cm) measured with dual force plates during a countermovement jump, from baseline (pre-test) to post-intervention (8 weeks).

  Baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention.

• Change in Sprint Speed (30 m sprint test using 1080 Sprint system)

  Change in sprint velocity (m/s) and split times (0-5 m, 0-10 m, 0-30 m).

  Baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention.

• Change in Drop Jump Reactive Strength Index (RSI)

  Change in reactive strength index (jump height / ground contact time) measured during drop jump from 30 cm platform.

  Baseline and after 8 weeks.

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Change in Standing Broad Jump Distance (SBJ)

  Baseline and after 8 weeks.

• Change in Sprint Mechanics (1080 Sprint)

  Baseline and after 8 weeks.

• Change in Change-of-Direction Performance (15-0-5 test)

  Baseline and after 8 weeks.

Study Arms (2)

Traditional Plyometric Training Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this group completed a traditional plyometric training program during the 8-week pre-season period. The program consisted of 2 sessions per week, each lasting about 40 minutes. Exercises included countermovement jumps, drop jumps, broad jumps, and other standard plyometric drills. The total weekly training volume was matched to the micro-dosed group.

Behavioral: Traditional group training program

Micro-dosed Plyometric Training Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group completed a micro-dosed plyometric training program during the 8-week pre-season period. The program consisted of 3 to 4 shorter sessions per week, each lasting about 20 minutes. The same types of plyometric exercises were used as in the traditional group (e.g., countermovement jumps, drop jumps, broad jumps). The total weekly training volume was matched to the traditional group.

Behavioral: Micro-dosed group training program

Interventions

Traditional group training program BEHAVIORAL

This intervention consists of two supervised plyometric training sessions per week, each lasting about 40 minutes. It represents the traditional approach with fewer but longer sessions. The total weekly training volume is equivalent to the micro-dosed group but distributed differently.

Also known as: Traditional Group, TRG

Traditional Plyometric Training Group

Micro-dosed group training program BEHAVIORAL

This intervention consists of three to four shorter supervised plyometric sessions per week, each lasting about 20 minutes. It represents a micro-dosed approach, with higher frequency but shorter duration per session. The total weekly training volume is equivalent to the traditional group but distributed across more frequent sessions.

Also known as: Micro-dose group, MDG

Micro-dosed Plyometric Training Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 17 Years - 19 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Active membership in a U19 elite soccer club during the intervention.
• Medical fitness to participate in plyometric training and testing.
• Attendance at ≥75% of training sessions.
• Completion of all mandatory pre- and post-tests.
• Previous experience with plyometric training and testing procedures.

You may not qualify if:

• Medical limitations preventing safe participation in training or testing.
• Attendance lower than 75% of scheduled intervention sessions.
• Failure to complete mandatory baseline or follow-up testing.
• Injury preventing completion of the intervention.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Matej Bel University: lead
• Masaryk University: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Masaryk University

Brno, Czechia

Location

Related Publications (6)

• Afonso J, Nakamura FY, Baptista I, Rendeiro-Pinho G, Brito J, Figueiredo P. Microdosing: Old Wine in a New Bottle? Current State of Affairs and Future Avenues. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2022 Oct 6;17(11):1649-1652. doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2022-0291. Print 2022 Nov 1.

  PMID: 36202386 BACKGROUND

• Cuadrado-Penafiel V, Castano-Zambudio A, Martinez-Aranda LM, Gonzalez-Hernandez JM, Martin-Acero R, Jimenez-Reyes P. Microdosing Sprint Distribution as an Alternative to Achieve Better Sprint Performance in Field Hockey Players. Sensors (Basel). 2023 Jan 6;23(2):650. doi: 10.3390/s23020650.

  PMID: 36679451 BACKGROUND

• Wang J, Wang Y, Jiang Y, Li S, Jia X, Xiao X, Sun W, Wang P, Zhang Q. Datasets-Based IMPDH1 Revisited: Heterozygous Missense Variants for Dominant Retinitis Pigmentosa While Truncation Variants Are Likely Non-Pathogenic. Curr Eye Res. 2024 Aug;49(8):853-861. doi: 10.1080/02713683.2024.2336158. Epub 2024 Apr 11.

  PMID: 38604988 BACKGROUND

• DiStefano LJ, Martinez JC, Crowley E, Matteau E, Kerner MS, Boling MC, Nguyen AD, Trojian TH. Maturation and Sex Differences in Neuromuscular Characteristics of Youth Athletes. J Strength Cond Res. 2015 Sep;29(9):2465-73. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000001052.

  PMID: 26313573 BACKGROUND

• Liu G, Wang X, Xu Q. Microdosing Plyometric Training Enhances Jumping Performance, Reactive Strength Index, and Acceleration among Youth Soccer Players: A Randomized Controlled Study Design. J Sports Sci Med. 2024 Jun 1;23(2):342-350. doi: 10.52082/jssm.2024.342. eCollection 2024 Jun.

  PMID: 38841635 BACKGROUND

• Nuzzo JL, Pinto MD, Kirk BJC, Nosaka K. Resistance Exercise Minimal Dose Strategies for Increasing Muscle Strength in the General Population: an Overview. Sports Med. 2024 May;54(5):1139-1162. doi: 10.1007/s40279-024-02009-0. Epub 2024 Mar 20.

  PMID: 38509414 BACKGROUND

Study Officials

• Martin Pupiš

  Faculty of Sport Science and Health, Matej Bel University

  STUDY CHAIR

• Marián Škorik

  Faculty of Sport Science and Health, Matej Bel University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: Masking was not feasible due to the visible differences in training frequency and scheduling.
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: PhD Candidate, Faculty of Sports Science and Health, Matej Bel University

Model Details: This is a parallel-group, quasi-experimental design. Players were allocated into two groups (micro-dosed vs. traditional plyometric training) using performance-based ranking (countermovement jump and drop jump tests) to achieve balanced groups. Both groups completed the similiar total weekly training volume during the 8-week pre-season period.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 18, 2025
• First Posted: September 26, 2025
• Study Start: July 8, 2024
• Primary Completion: September 10, 2024
• Study Completion: September 17, 2024
• Last Updated: September 26, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ANALYTIC CODE
• Time Frame: Data and supporting information will be available beginning 12 months after article publication. Data will remain available for at least 5 years after publication.
• Access Criteria: Qualified researchers will be able to request access to the de-identified dataset and supporting materials by contacting the corresponding author. Access will be granted for scientific purposes only and in accordance with institutional and ethical guidelines.

Locations

CZ (1)