10-week Complex Training for Chinese National Korfball Players

NCT07310498 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: USM/JEPeM/KK/23110824
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 24
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Korfball is a mixed-gender team sport that requires high levels of coordination, balance, and physical fitness. Unlike basketball or netball, players cannot dribble or run with the ball, and shots must often be taken in a single-leg, step-back position. These unique demands create challenges for athletes' strength, balance, and injury prevention. Despite korfball's growing popularity, scientific research on the sport's physical, biomechanical, and training characteristics remains limited. Complex training (CT) is a training method that alternates heavy resistance exercises with plyometric movements. This approach is known to improve strength, power, sprinting, and jumping ability in other team sports. It is especially relevant for unilateral sports movements, which are common in korfball shooting and defensive actions. However, no studies to date have applied CT to korfball athletes, and the effects of such training on their performance, biomechanics, and interlimb asymmetries are unclear. This study is designed to address three research areas: To describe the internal and external load characteristics of korfball matches using heart rate monitoring and video-based analysis. To investigate limb asymmetry in korfball players through assessments of biomechanics, anthropometry, physical fitness, and shooting technique. To evaluate whether a 10-week unilateral complex training program can reduce limb asymmetry and improve physical fitness and shooting performance in elite players. The study includes both cross-sectional and interventional components. First, competition loads will be monitored to understand game-specific demands. Second, assessments will compare dominant and non-dominant limbs in terms of strength, biomechanics, and technical performance. Finally, athletes will undergo a 10-week unilateral complex training program, after which the same measures will be repeated to test for improvements. The expected outcomes are a clearer understanding of the physiological and biomechanical characteristics of korfball players, as well as evidence on the effectiveness of unilateral complex training. This knowledge may guide coaches and practitioners in designing targeted training strategies to enhance performance, reduce injury risk, and optimize athlete development in korfball.

Conditions

Physical Fitness; Biomechanical Data; Athletic Performance; Plyometric Exercises; Fitness Training; Athlete

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change from Baseline to Week 10 in 1-Repetition Maximum (1RM) Back Squat (kg)

  Maximal lower-body strength assessed as the one-repetition maximum (1RM) load for the barbell back squat. Participants completed standardized warm-up sets followed by progressive single attempts to determine the maximal load successfully lifted once with correct technique; rest periods were provided between attempts. The outcome is the 1RM load, reported in kilograms (kg).

  Baseline and Week 10

Secondary Outcomes (17)

• 1-Repetition Maximum (1RM) Shoulder Press (kg)

  Baseline and Week 10

• Y-Balance Test Composite Score (percent)

  Baseline and Week 10

• Single-Leg Triple Hops (m)

  Baseline and Week 10

• Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Total Distance (m)

  Baseline and Week 10

• T-Test Agility Time (s)

  Baseline and Week 10

Other Outcomes (6)

• Body Mass Index (BMI) (kg/m²)

  Baseline and Week 10

• Body Fat Percentage (%)

  Baseline and Week 10

• Mid-thigh Girth (cm)

  Baseline and Week 10

Study Arms (1)

Experimental: 10-week Unilateral Complex Training

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will be stratified by sex into two equally sized groups (male and female). All participants will complete the same 10-week unilateral complex training program, which combines resistance and plyometric exercises within each session. No between-group comparisons are planned; analyses will focus on pre- to post-intervention changes.

Behavioral: 10-week Unilateral Complex Training Program

Interventions

10-week Unilateral Complex Training Program BEHAVIORAL

Participants will undergo a 10-week unilateral complex training program. Each training session combines resistance exercises (e.g., squats, lunges, or weighted lower-limb movements) with plyometric exercises (e.g., jumps, bounding, or explosive step-back movements) performed in alternating sequence. Training is delivered three times per week under supervision. All participants, divided equally by sex, follow the same program. The intervention is designed to improve strength, power, balance, and shooting performance while reducing interlimb asymmetry. No between-group comparisons are planned; outcomes are assessed pre- and post-intervention.

Experimental: 10-week Unilateral Complex Training

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Male or female athletes aged 18 to 35 years.
• Selected for the China National Korfball Team or the China Youth National Korfball Team.
• Able to participate in the full training and testing protocol and willing to provide informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• Participation in structured physical training other than korfball training within the previous 6 months.
• History of cruciate ligament injury, fracture, or other significant injury affecting sports performance within the previous 12 months.
• Failed routine musculoskeletal health screening or has unresolved injury/medical condition that precludes safe participation.
• Does not meet baseline strength prerequisites required for safe participation in complex training (combined resistance and plyometric exercises) according to NSCA guidelines.
• Additional notes (for study procedures, not eligibility):
• Participants will complete an information questionnaire to document training history and basic characteristics.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universiti Sains Malaysia: lead

Study Sites (1)

Henan Sport University

Zhenzhou, Henan, 054000, China

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: This is an open-label study; both participants and investigators are aware of the intervention being administered.
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Model Details: Participants will be stratified by sex into two equally sized groups (male and female). Both groups will receive the same 10-week unilateral complex training intervention. No between-group comparisons are planned; analyses will focus on within-group pre- to post-intervention changes.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 17, 2025
• First Posted: December 30, 2025
• Study Start: July 25, 2024
• Primary Completion: October 7, 2024
• Study Completion: October 14, 2024
• Last Updated: December 30, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-12

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, CSR

Locations

CN (1)