Effects of Microdosed Plyometric Training on Lower-Limb Neuromuscular Function and Sport-Specific Performance in Rope-Skipping Athletes

NCT07740096 | Active Not Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: MPPT-RCT-2026-001
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare two ways of scheduling plyometric training in rope-skipping athletes. The study will examine whether short and frequent training sessions have different effects on lower-limb muscle function, rope-skipping performance, and perceived fatigue compared with longer training sessions performed less often. Approximately 60 rope-skipping athletes will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. Both groups will continue their regular rope-skipping training and complete an additional 8-week plyometric training program. One group will perform short plyometric training sessions five days per week. The other group will perform concentrated plyometric training sessions twice per week. The exercise content, weekly training volume, and training progression will be kept as similar as possible between the two groups. Researchers will assess lower-limb muscle function and rope-skipping-specific performance before and after the intervention. Training attendance, completion, perceived exertion, muscle soreness, and adverse events will also be recorded. The study aims to determine whether distributing plyometric training across more frequent and shorter sessions produces different training effects from concentrating the training into fewer sessions.

Conditions

Athletic Performance Enhancement

Keywords

Microdosed Plyometric Training; Rope Skipping; Lower-Limb Neuromuscular Function; Explosive Power; Training Frequency; Plyometric Exercise

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Change From Baseline in Isokinetic Knee Extensor Total Work at Week 8

  Lower-limb muscular endurance will be assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer. Following a standardized warm-up and familiarization procedure, participants will perform 30 consecutive maximal concentric knee-extension contractions with the dominant lower limb at an angular velocity of 180 degrees per second. The total work performed by the knee extensors across all valid repetitions will be recorded and reported in joules (J). Change from baseline will be calculated as the Week 8 value minus the baseline value. Higher values indicate greater lower-limb muscular endurance.

  Baseline and post-intervention at Week 8

• Change From Baseline in Isokinetic Knee Extensor Peak Torque at Week 8

  Lower-limb muscle strength will be assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer. Following a standardized warm-up and familiarization procedure, participants will perform maximal concentric knee-extension contractions with the dominant lower limb at an angular velocity of 60 degrees per second. The highest peak torque obtained from the valid repetitions will be recorded and reported in newton-metres (N·m). Change from baseline will be calculated as the Week 8 value minus the baseline value. Higher values indicate greater lower-limb muscle strength.

  Baseline and post-intervention at Week 8

• Change From Baseline in Standing Broad Jump Distance at Week 8

  Lower-limb explosive performance will be assessed using the standing broad jump test. Following a standardized warm-up, participants will stand behind the take-off line with both feet parallel and jump forward as far as possible using a simultaneous two-foot take-off and landing. Each participant will complete three valid trials, with an adequate recovery interval between trials. The longest valid horizontal distance from the take-off line to the nearest point of contact on landing will be recorded in metres (m). Change from baseline will be calculated as the Week 8 value minus the baseline value. Higher values indicate better lower-limb explosive performance.

  Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Change From Baseline in the Number of Valid Repetitions Completed During the 30-Second Single-Rope Speed Test at Week 8

  Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

• Change From Baseline in Isokinetic Knee Extensor Fatigue Index at Week 8

  Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

Study Arms (2)

Microdosed Plyometric Training Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will maintain their regular rope-skipping training and complete high-frequency, short-duration plyometric training five days per week for 8 weeks.

Other: Microdosed Plyometric Training

Traditional Concentrated Plyometric Training Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Traditional Concentrated Plyometric Training

Other: Traditional Concentrated Plyometric Training

Interventions

Microdosed Plyometric Training OTHER

Participants assigned to this intervention will continue their regular rope-skipping-specific training and complete an 8-week microdosed plyometric training program. Plyometric training will be distributed across five sessions per week using a high-frequency, short-duration format. The exercise content, total weekly training duration, total weekly jump contacts, and progression principles will be matched as closely as possible to the traditional concentrated plyometric training intervention. The primary difference between the interventions will be training frequency and the amount of training completed in each session.

Microdosed Plyometric Training Group

Traditional Concentrated Plyometric Training OTHER

Participants assigned to this intervention will continue their regular rope-skipping-specific training and complete an 8-week traditional concentrated plyometric training program. Plyometric training will be performed in two concentrated sessions per week. The exercise content, total weekly training duration, total weekly jump contacts, and progression principles will be matched as closely as possible to the microdosed plyometric training intervention. The primary difference between the interventions will be training frequency and the amount of training completed in each session.

Traditional Concentrated Plyometric Training Group

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• \* Rope-skipping athletes with at least 1 year of rope-skipping training experience
• Able to complete regular rope-skipping training and all study-related testing procedures
• No severe lower-limb sports injury within the previous 3 months
• No cardiovascular disease, neurological disease, or other contraindication to exercise
• Willing to participate voluntarily and provide written informed consent
• For participants who are minors, written informed consent must also be obtained from a parent or legal

You may not qualify if:

• \* Participation in additional systematic strength training or plyometric training during the intervention period
• Insufficient adherence to the prescribed training program
• Injury, physical discomfort, or another condition occurring during testing or intervention that prevents continued participation in the study

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Chongqing Normal University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Chengdu College of Arts and Sciences

Chongqing, Chongqing Municipality, 401331, China

Location

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: Associate Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 22, 2026
• First Posted: July 31, 2026
• Study Start: June 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 31, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 31, 2026
• Last Updated: July 31, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CN (1)