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

NCT07399548 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2025-2287
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 24
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief 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.

Conditions

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

Keywords

Plyometric Training; Basketball Performance; Change of Direction; Linear Sprint Velocity

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• 25-meter Linear Sprint Time

  Time taken to complete a 25-meter straight-line sprint from a standing start. This measure evaluates linear speed and explosive acceleration. The test is conducted on a basketball court using electronic timing gates, with the best time of three trials recorded to ensure data accuracy.

  Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 8).

• V-cut Agility Test Time

  Time taken to complete the V-cut agility test, which requires participants to perform four 25-degree directional changes over a 20-meter distance. This measure evaluates change-of-direction speed and maneuverability. The best time of three trials is recorded in seconds using electronic timing gates.

  Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 8).

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Countermovement Jump (CMJ) Height

  Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 8).

• Isokinetic Peak Torque of Knee Extensors and Flexors

  Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 8).

Study Arms (2)

Plyometric Training

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in the Experimental Group (EG) followed a structured, progressive 8-week plyometric training (PT) program integrated into their regular basketball routine. The intervention was administered twice weekly (Tuesdays and Thursdays) with at least 48 hours of recovery between sessions. The program included vertical, horizontal, and lateral movements such as countermovement jumps (CMJ), box jumps, depth jumps, lateral bounds, and squat jumps. The volume progressed from 80 ground contacts per session in the first two weeks to 140 ground contacts per session in the final two weeks. Exercises were performed at maximal effort to maximize the utilization of the stretch-shortening cycle (SSC). All sessions were supervised by a certified strength and conditioning specialist to ensure proper technique and safety. This program was performed in addition to their standard technical and tactical basketball drills, which were identical to those performed by the control group.

Other: 8-Week Progressive Plyometric Training Program

Standard Basketball Training

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in the Control Group (CG) followed their standard basketball training routine for a duration of 8 weeks. This arm serves as the baseline to compare the specific effects of the plyometric intervention administered to the experimental group. The sessions consisted of standard technical and tactical basketball drills, including shooting practice, defensive positioning, offensive sets, and scrimmages (e.g., 3-on-3 or 5-on-5 games). Participants maintained their regular schedule of five training sessions per week, with each session lasting approximately 90 to 120 minutes. Participants in this group did not participate in any structured plyometric, strength, or power-based conditioning programs during the study period. All participants were instructed to maintain their normal nutritional habits and daily physical activities to ensure that no external variables influenced the performance outcomes.

Interventions

8-Week Progressive Plyometric Training Program OTHER

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.

Also known as: Plyometric Training, Stretch-Shortening Cycle Training, Lower-Body Power Training, Explosive Strength Training

Plyometric Training

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 22 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Active and licensed male basketball players.
• Age between 18 and 22 years.
• Minimum of 3 years of competitive basketball experience.
• Currently participating in regular team training at least 5 days per week.
• Free from any lower-limb musculoskeletal injuries for at least 6 months prior to the study.

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of any acute or chronic injury that limits maximal performance during the study period.
• Concurrent participation in any other external strength or power training programs.
• Failure to attend more than 10 percent of the intervention sessions.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Kastamonu University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Kastamonu University, Faculty of Sports Sciences

Kastamonu, 37150, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Ramirez-Campillo R, Perez-Castilla A, Thapa RK, Afonso J, Clemente FM, Colado JC, de Villarreal ES, Chaabene H. Effects of Plyometric Jump Training on Measures of Physical Fitness and Sport-Specific Performance of Water Sports Athletes: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis. Sports Med Open. 2022 Aug 29;8(1):108. doi: 10.1186/s40798-022-00502-2.

  PMID: 36036301 RESULT

Related Links

• Institutional website of the Faculty of Sports Sciences where the study was conducted.

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Plyometric Exercise

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Exercise Therapy; Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Patient Care; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Physical Conditioning, Human; Exercise; Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: Due to the nature of the intervention (physical exercise and plyometric training), it was not possible to mask the participants or the coaching staff to the group assignments. Both the experimental and control groups were aware of their respective training protocols. However, to minimize bias during the assessment and data processing phases: 1.Data Analysis: The statistical analysis was performed by a researcher who was blinded to the group allocations. All data were coded to ensure anonymity until the completion of the analysis. 2. Standardization: To ensure objectivity, all physical performance tests, including the 25-meter sprint, V-cut agility, and isokinetic strength, were conducted using automated electronic timing systems (Witty, Microgate, Italy) and computerized dynamometers (Isomed 2000, D\&R Ferstl GmbH, Germany). These objective measures eliminate potential manual measurement errors.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Department Head of Sports Management

Model Details: The study followed a pre-test/post-test parallel-group randomized design. A total of 24 male basketball players were assigned to one of two arms: 1. Experimental Group (n = 12): Participants integrated a progressive plyometric training (PT) program into their routine basketball schedule. The PT was performed twice weekly (Tuesdays and Thursdays) for 8 weeks, focusing on high-intensity jumping and bounding exercises to enhance the stretch-shortening cycle. 2. Control Group (n = 12): Participants continued their standard basketball training program (technical and tactical drills) without any additional plyometric intervention. Both groups were assessed simultaneously at baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (Week 8) using the same testing battery (25-meter sprint, V-cut agility, countermovement jump, and isokinetic dynamometry) under identical environmental conditions to ensure comparability.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 1, 2026
• First Posted: February 10, 2026
• Study Start: December 30, 2025
• Primary Completion: January 30, 2026
• Study Completion: January 31, 2026
• Last Updated: February 10, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ICF
• Time Frame: Data will be available starting 6 months after article publication and will remain accessible for up to 36 months.
• Access Criteria: Data will be shared with investigators who provide a methodologically sound proposal to achieve the aims in the approved proposal. Requests should be directed to the corresponding author.

Locations

TU (1)