Given conflicting studies regarding the effect of land-based and water-based training on the jump performance of volleyball and basketball players, a randomized controlled trial is conducted. This study hypothesizes that combined land- and water-based core and lower strength training significantly increase jump performance of volleyball and basketball players in comparison to either land- and/or water-based training alone.
Numerous studies focused on the effect of sole land- or water-based exercise training to improve either core and/or lower extremities alone, which could result in improved jump performance. With the continuously increasing popularity of volleyball and basketball, where players get better and better, competition in these fields is also heightened. Hence, identifying other methods to improve game performance, such as improving muscle strength and jump performance can be explored to contribute to the existing literature and could benefit the volleyball and basketball players themselves, trainers/coaches, universities competing in sports competitions locally, nationally, and even internationally, and to physical therapists who are venturing to sports physical therapy. The study then seeks to investigate whether combined land- and water-based exercises targeting the core and lower extremity muscle strength can enhance the jump performance of basketball and volleyball players. With this, a three-arm, single-blinded randomized controlled trial is being conducted among basketball and volleyball players. Participants are grouped into combined land- and water-based exercise, land-based exercise, and water-based exercise. To proceed with the implementation, the researchers acquired ethical clearance from the MMSU Ethics and Review Board. Recruitment of participants happened within a University at Ilocos Norte, Philippines. Acquisition of informed consent was done before other screening procedures to identify the eligibility of participants to participate in the study. Eligible participants were randomized accordingly to either the three (3) aforementioned groups. The exercises implemented in each group are based on existing literature regarding their effect on either the core or lower extremity strength, and combined to create a new and applicable exercise program, These exercise programs were also verified applicable by two licensed physical therapists who are also well-versed in strength training protocols. The participants are being trained accordingly one hour/day, three days/week for two consecutive weeks. As to the pre-and post-test measurements of the primary and secondary outcomes, assessment is done by two independent licensed physical therapists who are blinded to the participants and interventions. Moreover, the assessors are well-versed in the assessment of the different outcome measurements (Plank core strength test, 1RM, 10-meter Sprint Test, Margaria-Kalaman Power Test) and in using the MyJump Lab Mobile App, duly purchased by the researchers, used for the assessment of countermovement jump and squat jump. The SPSS version 22 will be used for data analysis by an independent statistician. Descriptive and comparative statistics will be used to analyze all data within- and between-groups, respectively. For the descriptive statistics, frequency, percentages, mean, and standard deviation will be utilized, while the two-way ANOVA and/or the paired T-test will be utilized for the comparative statistics.
Strengthening exercises targeting the core and lower extremities (quadriceps, hamstring, and gastrocnemius) were implemented both on land and in water. The exercises are done for approximately one hour/day, three days/week for two consecutive weeks. The following are the included exercises: Land-based exercise: 1. Plank exercise 2. Russian twist 3. Push-up 4. Goblet squat 5. Kettle bell swing Water-based exercise: 1. Flutter kicks 2. Isometric core crunches 3. Jump lunges 4. Kicks 5. Resisted knee flexion
Strengthening exercises targeting the core and lower extremities (quadriceps, hamstring, and gastrocnemius) were implemented on land. The exercises are done for approximately one hour/day, three days/week for two consecutive weeks. The following are the included exercises: 1. Plank exercise 2. Russian twist 3. Dead bug 4. Push-up 5. Goblet squat 6. Nordic hamstring curl 7. Lunges 8. Kettle bell swing 9. Calf raises 10. Bird dog
Mariano Marcos State University
Batac, Il, Philippines
Vertical Jump
This outcome measure is assessed using the manual vertical reach test technique. Unit of measurement is in centimeters (cm). Pre- and post-test measurement will be gathered.
Time frame: 2 weeks
Countermovement Jump
This outcome measure is assessed using the MyJump Lab Application. Unit of measurement is in centimeters (cm). Pre- and post-test measurement will be gathered.
Time frame: 2 weeks
Squat Jump
This outcome measure is assessed using the MyJump Lab Application. Unit of measurement is in centimeters (cm). Pre- and post-test measurement will be gathered.
Time frame: 2 weeks
Core Strength
Best time for plank will be assessed, measured in seconds (s). Pre- and post-test measurement will be gathered.
Time frame: 2 weeks
Quadriceps-Hamstring Strength
This outcome measure used the 1RM of the participant, measured in pounds (lbs), as measurement of Quadriceps-Hamstring strength. Pre- and post-test measurement will be gathered.
Time frame: 2 weeks
Gastrocnemius strength
This outcome measure will simply use the Manual Muscle Test (MMT) as the basis, using scale method as elaborated by Brown and Avers (2019)'s Manual Testing 10th edition. Pre- and post-test measurement will be gathered.
Time frame: 2 weeks
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Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
21
Strengthening exercises targeting the core and lower extremities (quadriceps, hamstring, and gastrocnemius) were implemented in the water. The exercises are done for approximately one hour/day, three days/week for two consecutive weeks. The following are the included exercises: 1. Core pulls 2. Flutter kicks 3. Water cycling 4. Isometric core crunches 5. Seated push-up 6. Jump squats 7. Jump lunges 8. Kicks 9. Ankle jumps 10. Resisted knee flexion