Cluster Versus Traditional Plyometric Training in Young Soccer Players

NCT07843069 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: TAPD-2026-15850PNURSP2026R286
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 20
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of two different plyometric training methods (cluster sets versus traditional sets) on young male soccer players. The study investigates how these two training structures affect players' jumping performance, muscle fatigue, heart rate, blood lactate levels, and how hard they feel they are working (perceived exertion). Twenty amateur soccer players performed two jump training sessions on separate days. One session used a traditional method (3 sets of 9 jumps with 80 seconds rest between sets), and the other used a cluster method (9 sets of 3 jumps with 20 seconds rest between sets). Both methods involved the same total number of jumps (27 jumps) and the same total rest time (160 seconds). The goal is to determine if breaking the exercise into smaller "clusters" with more frequent, shorter rests helps athletes maintain their explosive power better and reduces fatigue compared to the traditional method.

Conditions

Fatigue Recovery; Physical Exertion; Muscle Fatigue

Keywords

plyometric training; cluster set; countermovement jump; mechanical fatigue; soccer

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Countermovement Jump (CMJ) Height

  Mechanical fatigue and lower-body explosive power assessed via countermovement jump performance

  Pre-training and immediately post-training

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Blood Lactate Concentration

  Pre-training and immediately post-training

• Heart Rate (HR)

  Continuously during the session and immediately post-training

Study Arms (2)

Traditional Set Arm

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants performed a total of 27 countermovement jumps organized into 3 sets of 9 repetitions. An inter-set rest period of 80 seconds was provided between the sets, resulting in a total rest time of 160 seconds for the session

Other: Traditional Set Configuration

Cluster Set Configuration

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants performed a total of 27 countermovement jumps organized into 9 cluster sets of 3 repetitions. A short rest period of 20 seconds was provided between each cluster set, resulting in an equated total rest time of 160 seconds for the session.

Other: Traditional Set Configuration

Interventions

Traditional Set Configuration OTHER

Participants performed a total of 27 countermovement jumps organized into 3 sets of 9 repetitions. An inter-set rest period of 80 seconds was provided between the sets, resulting in a total rest time of 160 seconds for the session.

Cluster Set Configuration; Traditional Set Arm

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 16 Years - 20 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Healthy male amateur soccer players.
• Minimum of 3 years of active soccer training experience
• Currently participating in soccer training at least 3 times per week
• Absence of any lower-limb musculoskeletal injuries within the last 6 months

You may not qualify if:

• History of cardiovascular or severe respiratory diseases.
• Use of any medication or nutritional supplements that might affect physical performance or fatigue levels.
• Failure to complete both experimental sessions.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• TC Erciyes University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Faculty of Sports Science

Kayseri, Kayseri, 38280, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Koc M, Adiguzel NS, Engin H, Ozturk B, Canli U, Karacam A, Orhan BE, Prieto-Gonzalez P, Bartik P, Alghemlas S, Isip M, Sagat P. Effects of 4-week velocity-based HIIT on athletic performance in youth soccer players. PeerJ. 2025 Sep 23;13:e20066. doi: 10.7717/peerj.20066. eCollection 2025.

  PMID: 41018890 BACKGROUND

Study Design

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

Model Details: In this randomized crossover study, all participants completed both plyometric training interventions (Traditional Set and Cluster Set) in a counterbalanced order in separate sessions. A minimum of 48-hour washout period was provided between the training sessions to ensure adequate recovery.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 21, 2026
• First Posted: September 25, 2026
• Study Start: May 15, 2025
• Primary Completion: July 15, 2026
• Study Completion: August 15, 2026
• Last Updated: September 28, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, ICF
• Time Frame: Individual participant data will become available immediately following the publication of the study results and will remain accessible for a period of up to 5 years.
• Access Criteria: De-identified individual participant data will be made available to researchers who provide a methodologically sound proposal for research purposes. Access requests and proposals should be directed to the corresponding author via email. Data sharing may require a formal data use agreement.

Locations

TU (1)