Microdosed Versus Conventional Plyometric Training in Adolescent Basketball Players

NCT07826104 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: CQUE-LL20260630001
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial compared microdosed and conventional plyometric training in adolescent male basketball players. Forty participants aged 12-16 years were randomly assigned to either a microdosed training group or a conventional training group for 8 weeks. Both groups performed the same plyometric exercises and completed the same weekly training volume of 240 ground contacts. The microdosed group completed six sessions per week with 40 ground contacts per session, whereas the conventional group completed two sessions per week with 120 ground contacts per session. The study evaluated changes in jump performance, reactive strength, sprint performance, agility, and body composition. The study was completed before registration on ClinicalTrials.gov and is being registered retrospectively for transparency.

Conditions

Athletic Performance

Keywords

Microdosed Plyometric Training; Conventional Plyometric Training; Adolescent Basketball Players; Explosive Power; Speed; Agility; Reactive Strength; Jump Performance

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (5)

• Change in Countermovement Jump Height

  Countermovement jump height was assessed using two portable three-dimensional force plates sampling at 1,000 Hz. Participants performed three valid maximal countermovement jumps with 60 seconds of rest between trials. The trial with the greatest jump height was retained for analysis. Jump height was recorded in centimeters (cm).

  Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

• Change in Countermovement Jump Concentric Peak Power

  Countermovement jump concentric peak power was assessed using two portable three-dimensional force plates sampling at 1,000 Hz. Participants performed three valid maximal countermovement jumps with 60 seconds of rest between trials. Concentric peak power was recorded in watts (W).

  Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

• Change in Squat Jump Height

  Squat jump height was assessed using two portable three-dimensional force plates sampling at 1,000 Hz. Participants started from a stationary squat position with approximately 90 degrees of knee flexion and jumped vertically without a preparatory countermovement. Three valid trials were completed with 60 seconds of rest, and the trial with the greatest jump height was retained. Jump height was recorded in centimeters (cm).

  Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

• Change in Squat Jump Concentric Peak Power

  Squat jump concentric peak power was assessed using two portable three-dimensional force plates sampling at 1,000 Hz. Participants completed three valid squat jumps with 60 seconds of rest between trials. Concentric peak power was recorded in watts (W).

  Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

• Change in Drop Jump Height

  Drop jump height was assessed using two portable three-dimensional force plates sampling at 1,000 Hz. Participants stepped from a 50-cm box, landed on the force plates, and immediately performed a maximal vertical rebound jump while attempting to minimize ground-contact time. Three valid trials were completed with 60 seconds of rest. Jump height was recorded in centimeters (cm).

  Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

Secondary Outcomes (6)

• Change in Reactive Strength Index

  Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

• Change in Eccentric Utilization Ratio

  Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

• Change in Three-Quarter-Court Sprint Time

  Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

• Change in Hexagon Test Completion Time

  Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

• Change in Body Mass

  Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

Study Arms (2)

Microdosed Plyometric Training

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants completed six plyometric training sessions per week for 8 weeks, with 40 ground contacts per session and 240 ground contacts per week. The training included ankle hops, hurdle jumps, and drop jumps, in addition to regular basketball training.

Other: Microdosed Plyometric Training

Conventional Plyometric Training

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants completed two plyometric training sessions per week for 8 weeks, with 120 ground contacts per session and 240 ground contacts per week. The training included ankle hops, hurdle jumps, and drop jumps, in addition to regular basketball training.

Other: Conventional Plyometric Training

Interventions

Microdosed Plyometric Training OTHER

The intervention lasted 8 weeks. Participants completed six sessions per week with 40 ground contacts per session. Each session included ankle hops (2 sets × 10 repetitions), hurdle jumps over 70-cm hurdles (3 sets × 5 repetitions), and drop jumps from a 50-cm box (5 repetitions). Participants rested for 30 seconds between sets of ankle hops and hurdle jumps and 15 seconds between drop-jump repetitions. The total weekly volume was 240 ground contacts.

Microdosed Plyometric Training

Conventional Plyometric Training OTHER

The intervention lasted 8 weeks. Participants completed two sessions per week with 120 ground contacts per session. Each session included ankle hops (6 sets × 10 repetitions), hurdle jumps over 70-cm hurdles (9 sets × 5 repetitions), and drop jumps from a 50-cm box (15 repetitions). Participants rested for 30 seconds between sets of ankle hops and hurdle jumps and 15 seconds between drop-jump repetitions. The total weekly volume was 240 ground contacts.

Conventional Plyometric Training

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 12 Years - 16 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Male adolescent basketball players aged 12-16 years.
• Regular participation in organized basketball training.
• No lower-limb injury within the previous 3 months.
• No systematic plyometric training within the previous 6 months.

You may not qualify if:

• Injury or illness that prevented continued participation in the study.
• Participation in additional structured lower-limb training during the intervention.
• Failure to complete either the PRE or POST assessments.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Chongqing Normal University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Chongqing University of Education

Chongqing, Chongqing Municipality, 400065, China

Location

Study Officials

• Ao Xiang

  Chongqing University of Education

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Outcome assessors were blinded to group allocation.
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Master's Student

Model Details: Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either microdosed plyometric training or conventional plyometric training for 8 weeks.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 12, 2026
• First Posted: September 17, 2026
• Study Start: April 6, 2026
• Primary Completion: June 13, 2026
• Study Completion: June 14, 2026
• Last Updated: September 18, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CN (1)