Impact of Plyometric Training Methods on Athletic Performance and Detraining Processes in Youth Female Soccer Players

NCT07705087 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: E-60116787-020-8114282026TAP009
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 36
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Lower extremity strength, explosive power, dynamic balance, and functional range of motion are critical determinants of athletic performance and injury prevention in soccer (football). While plyometric training is widely used to improve these qualities, the comparative effects of bodyweight plyometric training versus externally loaded plyometric training, and the maintenance of these effects during detraining periods, remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the effects of two different plyometric training methods on athletic performance and subsequent detraining processes in young female soccer players. Participants will be randomly assigned to three groups: Bodyweight Plyometric Training Group (BW-PT), External Loading Plyometric Training Group (EL-PT, who will wear vests weighing 10% of their body weight), and Control Group (CG, who will only continue with routine soccer training). Training interventions will be conducted for 6 weeks, immediately followed by a 4-week detraining period. To comprehensively assess athletic performance, the following measurements will be taken at baseline (pre-test), immediately after the training period (post-test), and after the detraining period (maintenance test): Isokinetic muscle strength of knee extensors and flexors (peak torque and force development rate at 60°/s and 120°/s), Jumping performance (standing long jump, vertical jump height, and 15-second repeated jump test), Functional range of motion (via Functional Movement Screen - FMS), Dynamic balance (via Y-Balance Test). The primary objective is to determine which plyometric loading strategy, compared to traditional soccer training, provides superior and longer-lasting physiological and biomechanical adaptations in young female athletes.

Conditions

Healthy; Athletic Performance; Detraining

Keywords

Plyometric training; Female football players; Isokinetic strength; Jump performance; Neuromuscular control

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (10)

• Absolute Peak Torque (APT) of Knee Extensors and Flexors

  Concentric isokinetic absolute peak torque (APT) of the knee extensors and flexors (dominant leg) will be evaluated at 60°/s and 120°/s angular velocities using a Cybex Humac Norm dynamometer during 5 maximal repetitions. (Unit of measure: Nm)

  Baseline (Week 0), immediately post-training (Week 6), and after the detraining period (2nd and 4th week).

• Relative Peak Torque (RPT) of Knee Extensors and Flexors

  Concentric isokinetic relative peak torque (RPT) of the knee extensors and flexors (dominant leg) will be evaluated at 60°/s and 120°/s angular velocities using a Cybex Humac Norm dynamometer during 5 maximal repetitions. (Unit of measure: Nm/kg)

  Baseline (Week 0), immediately post-training (Week 6), and after the detraining period (2nd and 4th week).

• Time to Peak Torque (TPT) of Knee Extensors and Flexors

  Concentric isokinetic time to peak torque (TPT) of the knee extensors and flexors (dominant leg) will be evaluated at 60°/s and 120°/s angular velocities using a Cybex Humac Norm dynamometer during 5 maximal repetitions. (Unit of measure: milliseconds)

  Baseline (Week 0), immediately post-training (Week 6), and after the detraining period (2nd and 4th week).

• Average Peak Torque (AvPT) of Knee Extensors and Flexors

  Concentric isokinetic average peak torque (AvPT) of the knee extensors and flexors (dominant leg) will be evaluated at 60°/s and 120°/s angular velocities using a Cybex Humac Norm dynamometer during 5 maximal repetitions. (Unit of measure: Nm)

  Baseline (Week 0), immediately post-training (Week 6), and after the detraining period (2nd and 4th week).

• Average Rate of Force Development (AvRFD) of Knee Extensors and Flexors

  Concentric isokinetic average rate of force development (AvRFD) of the knee extensors and flexors (dominant leg) will be evaluated at 60°/s and 120°/s angular velocities using a Cybex Humac Norm dynamometer during 5 maximal repetitions. (Unit of measure: Nm/s)

  Baseline (Week 0), immediately post-training (Week 6), and after the detraining period (2nd and 4th week).

• Vertical Jump Height (VJH)

  Vertical jump height calculated from flight time will be evaluated using an electronic contact mat system (Fusion SmartJump, Fusion Sport, Australia). Participants will perform a countermovement jump without arm swing. The best value from 3 repetitions, separated by 1-minute rest intervals, will be recorded. (Unit of measure: cm)

  Baseline (Week 0), immediately post-training (Week 6), and after the detraining period (2nd and 4th week).

• Standing Long Jump (SLJ) Distance

  Horizontal jump distance will be assessed. Participants will perform a maximum distance jump with two feet from behind a starting line. The best value from 3 repetitions will be recorded. (Unit of measure: cm)

  Baseline (Week 0), immediately post-training (Week 6), and after the detraining period (2nd and 4th week).

• 15-Second Repeated Jump Test: Average Power (RJ15s-AP)

  Average power (RJ15s-AP) will be evaluated during 15 seconds of continuous maximal vertical jumps using an electronic contact mat system (Fusion SmartJump, Fusion Sport, Australia). Participants will jump with hands on hips and an upright trunk. The value is calculated using the Bosco equation. (Unit of Measure: W)

  Baseline (Week 0), immediately post-training (Week 6), and after the detraining period (2nd and 4th week).

• 15-Second Repeated Jump Test: Flight Time (RJ15s-FT)

  Flight time (RJ15s-FT) will be evaluated during 15 seconds of continuous maximal vertical jumps using an electronic contact mat system (Fusion SmartJump, Fusion Sport, Australia). Participants will jump with hands on hips and an upright trunk. The value is calculated using the Bosco equation. (Unit of Measure: ms)

  Baseline (Week 0), immediately post-training (Week 6), and after the detraining period (2nd and 4th week).

• 15-Second Repeated Jump Test: Number of Jumps (N-RJ15s)

  The number of jumps (N-RJ15s) will be evaluated during 15 seconds of continuous maximal vertical jumps using an electronic contact mat system (Fusion SmartJump, Fusion Sport, Australia). Participants will jump with hands on hips and an upright trunk. (Unit of Measure: Count)

  Baseline (Week 0), immediately post-training (Week 6), and after the detraining period (2nd and 4th week).

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Functional Movement Capacity

  Baseline (Week 0), immediately post-training (Week 6), and after the detraining period (2nd and 4th week).

• Dynamic Balance and Neuromuscular Control

  Baseline (Week 0), immediately post-training (Week 6), and after the detraining period (2nd and 4th week).

Study Arms (3)

Body-Weight Plyometric Training Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group will perform plyometric training using only their own body weight.

Other: Body-Weight Plyometrics

Plyometric Training Group With Additional Load

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group will perform plyometric training while wearing a weighted vest equal to 10% of their body weight.

Other: Additional Loaded Plyometric

Control Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this group will continue their routine football training without any additional plyometric exercises.

Other: Routine Football Training

Interventions

Body-Weight Plyometrics OTHER

A structured plyometric training program performed twice a week for six weeks. Exercises include various jumps and bounds using only the participant's body weight. Each session lasts approximately 30 minutes.

Body-Weight Plyometric Training Group

Additional Loaded Plyometric OTHER

A structured plyometric training program performed twice a week for six weeks. Participants will wear a weighted vest equivalent to 10% of their body weight during the exercises. Each session lasts approximately 30 minutes.

Plyometric Training Group With Additional Load

Routine Football Training OTHER

Participants in this group will continue to perform their standard, routine football training sessions. They will not receive any additional or structured plyometric training program during the intervention period.

Control Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 13 Years - 18 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• No history of surgery due to musculoskeletal injuries within the past 6 months.
• No use of ergogenic supplements within the past 3 months.
• Regular participation in routine team training sessions for at least 2 months prior to the study.

You may not qualify if:

• History of any recent injury requiring a recovery period of more than one week.
• Use of ergogenic aids or nutritional supplements during the intervention period.
• Missing two consecutive or four non-consecutive training sessions during the study period.
• Participation in additional structured physical training or exercises outside of the routine team practices and the study protocol.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Pamukkale University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Pamukkale University, Faculty of Sport Sciences

Denizli, Denizli, 20160, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Study Officials

• GUR

  Pamukkale University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Fatih GUR, PhD

CONTACT

+90 258 236 14 88; fatihgur@pau.edu.tr

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 2, 2026
• First Posted: July 15, 2026
• Study Start: July 20, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 19, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): October 19, 2026
• Last Updated: July 15, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)