Comparison of Combined Sprint-Plyometric Training Versus Traditional Strength Training on Speed, Agility, Power, and Movement Quality in Intermediate Rugby Players

NCT07591675 | Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: IIUI/RERC/ADT/2026/04/285
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 64
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Comparison of Combined Sprint-Plyometric Training Versus Traditional Strength Training on Speed, Agility, Power, and Movement Quality in Intermediate Rugby Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Conditions

Athletic Performance; Neuromuscular Training

Keywords

Sprint training; Plyometric training; Agility; Power

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Sprint Speed - Electronic Timing Gates (40 m and 80 m)

  Sprint time measured in seconds over 40 m and 80 m distances using electronic timing gates. Very high criterion validity (r ≈ 0.95-0.99) and excellent test-retest reliability (ICC ≈ 0.90-0.99)

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

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Agility - T-Test

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

• Lower-Body Explosive Power - Standing Long Jump Test

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

• Movement Quality - Functional Movement Screen (FMS)

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

Study Arms (2)

Combined Sprint-Plyometric Training Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants perform progressive sprint (10-100 m) and plyometric exercises (squat jumps, box jumps, single-leg hops, depth jumps) over 8 weeks. Frequency: 2 sessions/week, 45-60 min/session. Rest between sets: 3 minutes. Rest between sessions: 48-72 hours. Volume and distance progress across 4 two-week blocks.

Other: Combined Sprint-Plyometric Training

Traditional Strength Training Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants perform lower-body resistance exercises (barbell squat, leg press, lunges, Romanian deadlift, leg curl, leg extension) at 60-80% 1RM over 8 weeks. Frequency: 2 sessions/week, 45-60 min/session. Rest between sets: 1.5-3 minutes. Load progressively increased across 4 two-week blocks

Other: Traditional Strength Training Group

Interventions

Combined Sprint-Plyometric Training OTHER

Participants perform progressive sprint (10-100 m) and plyometric exercises (squat jumps, box jumps, single-leg hops, depth jumps) over 8 weeks. Frequency: 2 sessions/week, 45-60 min/session. Rest between sets: 3 minutes. Rest between sessions: 48-72 hours. Volume and distance progress across 4 two-week blocks

Combined Sprint-Plyometric Training Group

Traditional Strength Training Group OTHER

Participants perform lower-body resistance exercises (barbell squat, leg press, lunges, Romanian deadlift, leg curl, leg extension) at 60-80% 1RM over 8 weeks. Frequency: 2 sessions/week, 45-60 min/session. Rest between sets: 1.5-3 minutes. Load progressively increased across 4 two-week blocks.

Traditional Strength Training Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 25 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Male and female athletes aged 18-25 years
• A minimum of 2 years of structured rugby training experience
• Actively training at least 3 hours per week
• Medically cleared to engage in high-intensity physical activity
• Willingness to participate and provide written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• History of moderate or severe musculoskeletal injuries or surgery within the past 6-12 months
• Not medically approved to engage in high-intensity physical activities
• Cardiovascular or cardiopulmonary disease or risk factors that contraindicate high-intensity training
• Participation in any additional structured strength or plyometric program outside the study protocol during the intervention period

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ibadat International University, Islamabad: lead

Study Sites (1)

Ibadat International University, Islamabad (Iiui)

Islamabad, 46000, Pakistan

RECRUITING

Study Officials

• Hafsah Gul Khattak, DPT, MS-NMPT

  IBADAT INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY, ISLAMABAD (IIUI)

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Munazza Ahmed, MS Sports Physical Therapy

CONTACT

+923295048527; munazzaahmed39@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: The outcome assessor is blinded to group allocation. Participants and the treating physiotherapist/coach are not blinded due to the nature of the intervention.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Model Details: Parallel Assignment

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 9, 2026
• First Posted: May 18, 2026
• Study Start: April 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2026
• Last Updated: May 18, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)