Priming Using Contrast Training Exercise

NCT07754669 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: RRU/SPES/IRB/2025-26/16
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 16
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study investigated the effects of a morning complex-contrast training session on afternoon sport-specific and physical performance in competitive judokas. The study focused on identifying whether a stimulus targeting both force and velocity components of the force-velocity curve could induce a "delayed potentiation" effect 6 hours later and whether these responses differed by sex.

Conditions

Athletic Performance

Keywords

athletic performance; muscle strength; resistance training; plyometric exercise; human physical conditioning; martial arts

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Special Judo Fitness Test Index

  Judo-specific performance efficiency assessed using the Special Judo Fitness Test (SJFT). The test consisted of three work periods: one 15-second period followed by two 30-second periods, separated by 10-second recovery intervals. During each period, the participant moved between two partners positioned 3 meters apart and performed the Ippon Seoi-Nage throwing technique as many times as possible. Heart rate was measured immediately after the test and 1 minute after test completion using a chest strap-based heart rate monitor. The SJFT index was calculated using the total number of completed throws and the heart rate values recorded immediately and 1 minute after the test. A lower SJFT index represents better judo-specific performance efficiency.

  Approximately 6 hours post-intervention

Secondary Outcomes (7)

• Total Number of Throws During the Special Judo Fitness Test

  Approximately 6 hours post-intervention

• Number of Throws During Individual Special Judo Fitness Test Periods

  Approximately 6 hours post-intervention

• Left-Hand Maximum Isometric Handgrip Strength

  Baseline and approximately 6 hours post-intervention

• Right-Hand Maximum Isometric Handgrip Strength

  Baseline and approximately 6 hours post-intervention

• Countermovement Jump Height

  Baseline and approximately 6 hours post-intervention

Study Arms (2)

Complex-Contrast Training Priming Condition

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants performed a morning complex-contrast training (CCT) session designed to induce a delayed priming effect on afternoon judo-specific and neuromuscular performance. The session consisted of lower- and upper-body contrast exercise pairs combining heavy resistance exercises with biomechanically related ballistic exercises. Following the intervention, participants completed a 6-hour passive recovery period before the afternoon performance assessment.

Behavioral: Morning Complex-Contrast Training

Time-Matched Walking Control Condition

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants completed the same standardized morning warm-up and baseline measurements as in the experimental condition. Following the baseline measurements, participants walked for a period corresponding to the duration of the complex-contrast training protocol. No resistance or ballistic exercises were performed. After the walking period, participants underwent a 6-hour recovery interval before completing the afternoon performance assessments.

Behavioral: Time-Matched Walking Control Condition

Interventions

Morning Complex-Contrast Training BEHAVIORAL

At approximately 9:00 AM, participants completed a standardized warm-up consisting of a 10-minute self-paced jog followed by dynamic stretching. Baseline countermovement jump and maximum isometric handgrip strength measurements were subsequently performed. The CCT intervention consisted of: 3 lower-body contrast sets, with 6 repetitions of the back squat paired with 6 maximal countermovement jumps; 3 upper-body contrast sets, with 6 repetitions of the bench press paired with 6 maximal wall ball slams. After completing the morning session, participants underwent a 6-hour passive recovery period. At approximately 3:00 PM, they repeated the standardized warm-up and completed the countermovement jump, maximum isometric handgrip strength, and Special Judo Fitness Test assessments.

Complex-Contrast Training Priming Condition

Time-Matched Walking Control Condition BEHAVIORAL

At approximately 9:00 AM, participants completed a standardized warm-up consisting of a 10-minute self-paced jog followed by dynamic stretching. Baseline countermovement jump and maximum isometric handgrip strength measurements were then performed. Following the baseline measurements, participants walked for the duration required to complete the CCT protocol in the experimental condition. After the 6-hour recovery interval, participants returned at approximately 3:00 PM, repeated the standardized warm-up, and completed the countermovement jump, maximum isometric handgrip strength, and Special Judo Fitness Test assessments.

Time-Matched Walking Control Condition

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 22 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• age between 18 and 22 years;
• competitive male or female judo athlete;
• minimum of 3 years of experience in structured judo training;
• previous experience with and technical proficiency in resistance and ballistic training exercises;
• ability to correctly perform the back squat, bench press, countermovement jump, and wall ball slam;
• technical proficiency in performing the Ippon Seoi-Nage throwing technique; previous experience with the Special Judo Fitness Test;
• absence of musculoskeletal injuries or medical conditions that would restrict participation in maximal physical exercise;
• ability to complete both experimental conditions and all required performance assessments;
• provision of written informed consent before participation.

You may not qualify if:

• less than 3 years of structured judo training experience;
• insufficient technical proficiency in the back squat, bench press, countermovement jump, or wall ball slam;
• inability to correctly perform the Ippon Seoi-Nage technique;
• no previous experience with the Special Judo Fitness Test;
• current musculoskeletal pain or injury that could affect resistance exercise, jumping, handgrip assessment, or judo-specific performance;
• presence of a medical condition that could restrict maximal physical effort or - make participation in the intervention unsafe;
• inability to complete either experimental condition or the required testing procedures

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice: lead

Study Sites (1)

Academy of Physical Education in Katowice

Katowice, Silesian Voivodeship, 40-065, Poland

Location

Related Publications (3)

• Pereira LA, Zmijewski P, Golas A, Kotula K, McGuigan MR, Loturco I. Priming Exercises and Their Potential Impact on Speed and Power Performance: A Narrative Review. J Hum Kinet. 2025 Jun 25;98:153-168. doi: 10.5114/jhk/204371. eCollection 2025 Jul.

  PMID: 40837515 BACKGROUND

• Thapa RK, Weldon A, Freitas TT, Boullosa D, Afonso J, Granacher U, Ramirez-Campillo R. What do we Know about Complex-Contrast Training? A Systematic Scoping Review. Sports Med Open. 2024 Sep 27;10(1):104. doi: 10.1186/s40798-024-00771-z.

  PMID: 39333341 BACKGROUND

• Gepfert M, Terbalyan A, Helbin J, Thapa RK, Stastny P, Krzysztofik M, Jarosz J. Priming magnitude and retention in highly trained male volleyball players are unaffected by exercise type, muscle temperature, or viscoelasticity. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2026 Apr 25;18(1):270. doi: 10.1186/s13102-026-01705-w.

  PMID: 42035131 BACKGROUND

Study Officials

• Jakub Jarosz, PhD

  Academy of Physical Education in Katowice

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: Complete blinding of participants, intervention providers, and assessors was not feasible due to the visibly distinct nature of the intervention and control protocols as well as performance testing.
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: A within-subject, randomized crossover design with counterbalancing was used to investigate the priming effects of the morning complex-contrast training protocol on afternoon judo-specific performance and neuromuscular readiness. This study design ensured that each subject experienced both control and priming conditions and served as their own control to minimize the influence of inter-individual variability. The randomization was done using a 1:1 allocation ratio for both males and females with an online tool (www.randomizer.org).

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 4, 2026
• First Posted: August 10, 2026
• Study Start: March 1, 2026
• Primary Completion: March 20, 2026
• Study Completion: April 10, 2026
• Last Updated: August 10, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP
• Time Frame: Individual participant data and supporting documents will be available beginning 3 months after publication of the study results and ending 5 years following publication.
• Access Criteria: Researchers may request access to de-identified individual participant data by contacting the corresponding author. Data will be shared upon reasonable request for scientific research purposes.

Locations

PL (1)