Core Stability Training Combined With Plyometric Exercises on Vertical Jump Performance:

Summary

This study protocol investigates whether adding core stability training to a plyometric training program enhances vertical jump performance in elite high jump athletes over a six-week period. It is hypothesized that combined core stability and plyometric training will result in greater improvements in vertical jump distance compared to plyometric training alone.

Elite high jump athletes are allocated into two groups based on their existing training squads: a combined intervention group (COMBO) receiving both core stability and plyometric training, and a plyometric-only group (PLYO). Both groups follow a structured six-week training program, with vertical jump distance measured before and after the intervention period to assess changes in performance.

From a clinical and applied sports science perspective, the findings of this protocol may help determine whether incorporating core stability exercises into existing plyometric programs provides additional benefit for improving explosive lower-limb performance, thereby informing evidence-based training prescription for high jump athletes.

Conditions

• Athletic Injuries/Prevention and Control

Interventions

OTHER

Core stability exercises with plyometric training

Participants receive both core stability and plyometric training. The core program begins with basic stabilization exercises and progressively advances to moderate-level training based on established principles. Week 1 includes pelvic tilts and bilateral bridges; Week 2 progresses to unilateral bridges and quadruped bracing without a Swiss ball. This is followed by two weeks of static exercises (e.g., contralateral single-leg holds, quadruped with Swiss ball), and finally dynamic exercises such as upper body roll-outs in the last two weeks. Core exercises are performed for 12-15 minutes per session, with 8-10 repetitions per set, 2-3 sets per session, three times per week for six weeks. Both interventions are demonstrated by qualified physical therapists and athletic coaches at different training sites.

OTHER

Plyometric exercise alone

The plyometric training program uses variable-sized Swiss balls, 45 cm plyometric boxes for box jumps, a 30 cm depth jump box, sports cones, and a synthetic long jump surface. Each session begins with a 5-10 minute warm-up involving light jogging, dynamic stretching, and mobility exercises, and ends with a 10-minute cool-down. Participants continue their regular resistance training twice weekly on non-consecutive days, targeting major muscle groups. The program is designed to improve speed, agility, and quickness and follows a structured progression based on exercise complexity and intensity (low to high), considering balance, coordination, limb involvement, and impact level. It begins with simple, low-impact bilateral linear jumps and progresses to complex, high-impact, multidirectional and single-leg landing drills based on participant readiness, promoting gradual improvements in strength, control, and landing mechanics.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Alva's College of Physiotherapy

  collaborator OTHER

• Gulf Medical University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Watson Arulsingh, PhD · Gulf Medical University

Study Design

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

19 Years

Max Age

24 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2016-03-01

Primary Completion

2017-04-01

Completion

2017-05-01

Countries

• United Arab Emirates

Study Locations