Cluster-Set vs. Traditional-Set Plyometric Loading in Tennis Players

NCT07640724 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: Date10.01.2025, Approval No460
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 28
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The present study aimed to compare the acute effects of cluster-set (CS) and traditional-set (TS) plyometric loading protocols on countermovement jump (CMJ) performance and reactive strength index (RSI-mod) in young tennis players. Twenty-eight male tennis players (age: 16.7 ± 1.3 years) were randomly assigned to either a CS or TS group. Following a familiarization session, participants completed an experimental session including pre-tests (CMJ and drop jump), a plyometric loading protocol (CS: 3 × \[5 × 2 repetitions, 15 s intra-set rest, 2 min between sets\]; TS: 3 × 10 repetitions, 3 min between sets), and post-tests at 15 s, 3 min, and 6 min. CMJ height and RSI-mod were assessed using the My Jump 2 application. Borg Scale, Total Quality Recovery (TQR) were apply after post-tests at 15 s, 3 min, and 6 min.

Conditions

Plyometric Training

Keywords

post-activation potentiation; tennis; explosive power; fatigue; cluster set

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Vertical Jump

  The counter movement jump (CMJ) test was used to determine vertical jump height. CMJ is widely used to monitor neuromuscular status (i.e. fatigue, performance, strength, and muscle overcompensation) from the analysis of bilateral mechanics and the ability to generate and the ability to generate and absorb ground reaction forces by the lower extremity. The My Jump 2 (Copyright©Carlos Balsalobre Fernández) application of the My Jump Lab tools, based on artificial intelligence (AI) used to measure CMJ. An iPad Pro 11-inch Model Air M2 (Apple Inc. Cupertino, CA) used to capture each trial.

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 15 days

• Vertical Jump

  The counter movement jump (CMJ) test was used to determine vertical jump high. The My Jump 2 (Copyright©Carlos Balsalobre Fernández) application of the My Jump Lab tools, based on artificial intelligence (AI) used to measure CMJ. An iPad Pro 11-inch Model Air M2 (Apple Inc. Cupertino, CA) used to capture each trial.

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 15 days

• Reactive Strength Index (RSI-mod)

  The Drop Jump (DJ) test was used to determine the RSI-mod. The DJ can be used to determine the intensity of plyometric exercises, measure lower body reactive strength, monitor neuromuscular fatigue and test lower extremity stiffness. The DJ is a frequently analyzed metric for determining the RSI. It assesses an athlete's ability to rapidly transition from eccentric to concentric contraction and how much force the athlete can produce in the shortest possible time. There are multiple calculations available to measure the RSI-mod, but the most used is jump height (meters) ÷ ground contact time (seconds). Participants were asked to perform the DJ test by dropping to the ground from a 40 cm frame height with their hands on their hips and jumping upwards with maximal effort in the shortest time. Vertical jump distance and RSI were determined using the My Jump 2 app.

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 15 days

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Body composition

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 15 days

• Recovery

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 15 days

Study Arms (2)

Cluster Set Plyometric Loading

EXPERIMENTAL

Cluster set: plyometric jumping 3 set , each set consist of 2 repetition x 5.

Other: Cluster Set

Traditional Set Plyometric Loading

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Traditional set: pluometric jumping 3 set, each set consist of 10 repetition.

Other: Traditional Set

Interventions

Cluster Set OTHER

Cluster Set: Vertical Jumping 3 set, 2 minute rest/set, in 1 set 5 x 2 repetition, 15 sec rest after each 2 repetition.

Cluster Set Plyometric Loading

Traditional Set OTHER

Traditional set: Vertical jumping 3 set, 3 minute rest / set, in 1 set 10 repetition/set

Traditional Set Plyometric Loading

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 13 Years - 17 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Engaged in tennis training for ≥2 years, with a frequency of ≥3 sessions/week and participation in ≥4 tournaments annually.
• Had ≥6 months of experience with resistance and plyometric training.
• No history of lower extremity muscle or joint injuries within the last three months.
• No regular use of drugs or stimulants for at least six months prior to the study.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Uludag University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Bursa uludag University, Faculty of Sport Sciences

Bursa, 16059, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (9)

• Dello Iacono A, Beato M, Halperin I. The Effects of Cluster-Set and Traditional-Set Postactivation Potentiation Protocols on Vertical Jump Performance. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2019 Oct 15;15(4):464-469. doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2019-0186. Print 2020 Apr 1.

  PMID: 31614331 BACKGROUND

• Feng D, Yang W, Li L. Countermovement jump and reactive strength index of artistic gymnasts improve more with cluster-based plyometric training than with traditional methods. Sci Rep. 2024 Oct 21;14(1):24700. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-76150-1.

  PMID: 39433944 BACKGROUND

• Chen L, Zhang Z, Huang Z, Yang Q, Gao C, Ji H, Sun J, Li D. Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Plyometric Training on Lower Limb Explosive Strength in Adolescent Athletes. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Jan 19;20(3):1849. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20031849.

  PMID: 36767213 BACKGROUND

• Deng N, Soh KG, Huang D, Abdullah B, Luo S, Rattanakoses W. Effects of plyometric training on skill and physical performance in healthy tennis players: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Physiol. 2022 Nov 24;13:1024418. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2022.1024418. eCollection 2022.

  PMID: 36505069 BACKGROUND

• Salonikidis K, Zafeiridis A. The effects of plyometric, tennis-drills, and combined training on reaction, lateral and linear speed, power, and strength in novice tennis players. J Strength Cond Res. 2008 Jan;22(1):182-91. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e31815f57ad.

  PMID: 18296973 BACKGROUND

• Hernandez-Davo JL, Loturco I, Pereira LA, Cesari R, Pratdesaba J, Madruga-Parera M, Sanz-Rivas D, Fernandez-Fernandez J. Relationship between Sprint, Change of Direction, Jump, and Hexagon Test Performance in Young Tennis Players. J Sports Sci Med. 2021 Mar 5;20(2):197-203. doi: 10.52082/jssm.2021.197. eCollection 2021 Jun.

  PMID: 33948097 BACKGROUND

• Zhang F, Liu Y, Liu J, Yeremenko O, Shi L. The effects of plyometric training on physical fitness in adolescent team sports: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Physiol. 2026 Jan 21;17:1760239. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2026.1760239. eCollection 2026.

  PMID: 41647156 BACKGROUND

• Vuong JL, Fett J, Ulbricht A, Ferrauti A. Physical determinants, intercorrelations, and relevance of movement speed components in elite junior tennis players. Eur J Sport Sci. 2022 Dec;22(12):1805-1815. doi: 10.1080/17461391.2021.2005150. Epub 2022 Jan 6.

  PMID: 34753414 BACKGROUND

• Kozinc Z, Sarabon N. Bilateral deficit in countermovement jump and its association with change of direction performance in basketball and tennis players. Sports Biomech. 2024 Oct;23(10):1370-1383. doi: 10.1080/14763141.2021.1942965. Epub 2021 Jun 16.

  PMID: 34132633 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Fatigue

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Ramiz ARABACI, Prof.Dr.

  Bursa Uludag University, Faculty of Sport Sciences

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Prof. Dr.

Model Details: Participants were randomly allocated into two experimental groups: Cluster Set Group (CS) and Traditional Set Group (TS).

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 2, 2026
• First Posted: June 11, 2026
• Study Start: March 15, 2025
• Primary Completion: March 30, 2025
• Study Completion: April 15, 2025
• Last Updated: June 11, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)