A Randomized Crossover Study on Diverse Training Methods to Enhance University Athletes' Performance and Health

Summary

The goal of this randomized crossover study is to investigate the effects of plyometric training, functional training, and whole-body electrical muscle stimulation (WB-EMS) on athletic performance and health in university basketball and volleyball players. The main questions it aims to answer are:

1. Which training modality (plyometric, functional, or WB-EMS) leads to the greatest improvements in athletic performance measures such as power, speed, and agility?
2. How do these training modalities compare in terms of their effects on overall health, injury risk reduction, and psychological well-being?

Researchers will use a crossover design, where each participant experiences multiple training modalities in a sequential manner, to provide a more rigorous and comprehensive evaluation of the interventions' effectiveness.

Participants will:

1. Be randomly assigned to one of four training sequences, each consisting of two 8-week intervention periods separated by a 4-week washout phase;
2. Experience at least two of the three training modalities (plyometric, functional, or WB-EMS) during the intervention periods;
3. Maintain their regular training routines if assigned to the control group;
4. Undergo assessments, including anthropometric measurements, physical fitness tests, and questionnaires, at baseline, after each intervention period, and during a follow-up session.

The findings of this study will provide valuable insights into the optimal sequencing and combination of training modalities to maximize athletic performance and promote health among university basketball and volleyball players.

Conditions

• Athletic Performance
• Plyometric Exercise
• Healthy

Interventions

DEVICE

Whole-Body Electrical Muscle Stimulation (WB-EMS) Training

Whole-Body Electrical Muscle Stimulation (WB-EMS) Training is a novel training modality that involves the simultaneous electrical stimulation of multiple muscle groups while performing dynamic exercises. Participants in the WB-EMS Training Group will use the miha bodytec device (Augsburg, Germany), which consists of a special suit with integrated electrodes covering major muscle groups. The device generates electrical impulses (85 Hz, 350 μs) that cause involuntary muscle contractions during exercises like squats, lunges, and trunk rotations.Each 20-25-minute WB-EMS session will be conducted twice a week during the two 8-week intervention periods. Sessions will include a warm-up followed by 4-6 WB-EMS exercises performed for 4-6 seconds each, with 4 seconds of rest between exercises. The intensity of the stimulation and exercises will be progressively increased based on individual adaptation and tolerance, with the stimulation intensity set at 70-85% of the maximal tolerable level.

BEHAVIORAL

Plyometric Training

Plyometric Training is a high-intensity, explosive strength training modality that involves quick, powerful movements designed to increase muscle power, speed, and agility. Participants in the Plyometric Training Group will engage in a progressive plyometric training program that emphasizes eccentric muscle loading followed by rapid concentric contractions. The plyometric exercises will include various types of jumps, hops, and bounds, such as box jumps, depth jumps, split squat jumps, and single-leg hops. Each training session will begin with a dynamic warm-up, followed by 4-6 plyometric drills performed for 3-5 sets of 8-12 repetitions, with 60-90 seconds of rest between sets. The intensity and volume of the exercises will be gradually increased over the two 8-week intervention periods.

BEHAVIORAL

Functional Training

Functional Training is a training approach that focuses on exercises that simulate the demands of specific sports or daily activities, targeting multiple muscle groups and movement patterns simultaneously. Participants in the Functional Training Group will engage in a tailored functional training program designed to enhance their performance in basketball or volleyball. The functional training exercises will incorporate multi-joint, multi-planar movements that mimic game-specific actions, such as multidirectional lunges, rotational medicine ball throws, and single-leg balance drills. Each session will start with a dynamic warm-up, followed by 6-8 functional exercises performed for 3-4 sets of 8-12 repetitions, with 60 seconds of rest between sets. The program will also include core stability and injury prevention exercises.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Macau

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

30 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-10-10

Primary Completion

2026-12-31

Completion

2029-10-03

Countries

• Macau

Study Locations