Core Stability Training Combined With Plyometric Exercises on Vertical Jump Performance:

NCT07573605 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: ACP/OP/2016/OL 02
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 27
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study protocol investigates whether adding core stability training to a plyometric training program enhances vertical jump performance in elite high jump athletes over a six-week period. It is hypothesized that combined core stability and plyometric training will result in greater improvements in vertical jump distance compared to plyometric training alone. Elite high jump athletes are allocated into two groups based on their existing training squads: a combined intervention group (COMBO) receiving both core stability and plyometric training, and a plyometric-only group (PLYO). Both groups follow a structured six-week training program, with vertical jump distance measured before and after the intervention period to assess changes in performance. From a clinical and applied sports science perspective, the findings of this protocol may help determine whether incorporating core stability exercises into existing plyometric programs provides additional benefit for improving explosive lower-limb performance, thereby informing evidence-based training prescription for high jump athletes.

Conditions

Athletic Injuries/Prevention and Control

Keywords

Athletic performance; Muscle Strength; Core stability; Vertical jump

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Vertical Jump test

  Vertical Jump test

  "From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks"

• Vertical Jump test

  The primary outcome variable of this study is vertical jump distance, measured in centimetres following standard assessment guidelines. Participants begin from a static standing position and are instructed to reach upward maximally with one hand to establish the standing reach height. They then perform a maximal vertical jump after flexing their knees to approximately 90°, aiming to reach as high as possible. The vertical jump distance is calculated as the difference between the standing reach height and the highest point touched during the jump. An independent assessor, blinded to the intervention allocation, records all measurements. Each participant performs three trials, and the highest value obtained is used for statistical analysis.

  6 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Plyometric training alone

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

The plyometric training program uses variable-sized Swiss balls, 45 cm plyometric boxes for box jumps, a 30 cm box for depth jumps, sports cones for agility drills, and a synthetic long jump surface. Each session begins with a 5-10 minute active warm-up consisting of light jogging, dynamic stretching, and mobility exercises, followed by the plyometric training protocol, and concludes with a 10-minute cool-down period. Participants are instructed to continue their regular resistance training twice per week on non-consecutive days, targeting the upper body, lower body, and trunk, as per standard training

Other: Plyometric exercise alone

Combined core-plyometric (COMBO) training

EXPERIMENTAL

The core training regimen begins with fundamental core stabilization exercises and progresses to moderate-level training based on established core training principles. During the first week, exercises include pelvic tilts in supine and lunge positions, along with bilateral pelvic bridges. In the second week, the program progresses to unilateral pelvic bridges and quadruped bracing exercises performed without a Swiss ball. This is followed by two weeks of static core exercises, including contralateral single-leg holds and quadruped positioning using a Swiss ball. Once participants demonstrate adequate control and confidence with static exercises, dynamic movements such as upper body roll-outs are progressively introduced during the final two weeks of the program. Core stability exercises are performed for 12-15 minutes per session, with 8-10 repetitions per set and 2-3 sets per session, three times per week for six weeks.

Other: Core stability exercises with plyometric training

Interventions

Core stability exercises with plyometric training OTHER

Participants receive both core stability and plyometric training. The core program begins with basic stabilization exercises and progressively advances to moderate-level training based on established principles. Week 1 includes pelvic tilts and bilateral bridges; Week 2 progresses to unilateral bridges and quadruped bracing without a Swiss ball. This is followed by two weeks of static exercises (e.g., contralateral single-leg holds, quadruped with Swiss ball), and finally dynamic exercises such as upper body roll-outs in the last two weeks. Core exercises are performed for 12-15 minutes per session, with 8-10 repetitions per set, 2-3 sets per session, three times per week for six weeks. Both interventions are demonstrated by qualified physical therapists and athletic coaches at different training sites.

Combined core-plyometric (COMBO) training

Plyometric exercise alone OTHER

The plyometric training program uses variable-sized Swiss balls, 45 cm plyometric boxes for box jumps, a 30 cm depth jump box, sports cones, and a synthetic long jump surface. Each session begins with a 5-10 minute warm-up involving light jogging, dynamic stretching, and mobility exercises, and ends with a 10-minute cool-down. Participants continue their regular resistance training twice weekly on non-consecutive days, targeting major muscle groups. The program is designed to improve speed, agility, and quickness and follows a structured progression based on exercise complexity and intensity (low to high), considering balance, coordination, limb involvement, and impact level. It begins with simple, low-impact bilateral linear jumps and progresses to complex, high-impact, multidirectional and single-leg landing drills based on participant readiness, promoting gradual improvements in strength, control, and landing mechanics.

Also known as: PLYO

Plyometric training alone

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 19 Years - 24 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Elite voluntary high jump athletes (male and/or female)
• Age range between 19-24 years
• Minimum of 3 years of structured high jump training experience
• Currently participating in regular training (at least 3 sessions per week)
• Medically fit to participate in plyometric and core stability training
• Enrolled in this study

You may not qualify if:

• History of lower limb musculoskeletal trauma within the past three months
• Chronic asthma
• Ongoing physiotherapy for musculoskeletal pain
• Neurological conditions
• History of severe anxiety and depression

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Gulf Medical University: lead
• Alva's College of Physiotherapy: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Watson Arulsingh

Al Jurf, Ajman Emirate, 4184, United Arab Emirates

Location

Related Links

• Google drive link will be shared once this work is published

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Athletic Injuries

Interventions

Plyometric Exercise

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Wounds and Injuries

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 Officials

• Watson Arulsingh, PhD

  Gulf Medical University

  STUDY CHAIR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: A Non-Randomized Clinical Trial

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 11, 2026
• First Posted: May 7, 2026
• Study Start: March 1, 2016
• Primary Completion: April 1, 2017
• Study Completion: May 1, 2017
• Last Updated: May 7, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

AE (1)