Lower extremity strength, explosive power, dynamic balance, and functional range of motion are critical determinants of athletic performance and injury prevention in soccer (football). While plyometric training is widely used to improve these qualities, the comparative effects of bodyweight plyometric training versus externally loaded plyometric training, and the maintenance of these effects during detraining periods, remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the effects of two different plyometric training methods on athletic performance and subsequent detraining processes in young female soccer players. Participants will be randomly assigned to three groups: Bodyweight Plyometric Training Group (BW-PT), External Loading Plyometric Training Group (EL-PT, who will wear vests weighing 10% of their body weight), and Control Group (CG, who will only continue with routine soccer training). Training interventions will be conducted for 6 weeks, immediately followed by a 4-week detraining period. To comprehensively assess athletic performance, the following measurements will be taken at baseline (pre-test), immediately after the training period (post-test), and after the detraining period (maintenance test): Isokinetic muscle strength of knee extensors and flexors (peak torque and force development rate at 60°/s and 120°/s), Jumping performance (standing long jump, vertical jump height, and 15-second repeated jump test), Functional range of motion (via Functional Movement Screen - FMS), Dynamic balance (via Y-Balance Test). The primary objective is to determine which plyometric loading strategy, compared to traditional soccer training, provides superior and longer-lasting physiological and biomechanical adaptations in young female athletes.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
36
A structured plyometric training program performed twice a week for six weeks. Exercises include various jumps and bounds using only the participant's body weight. Each session lasts approximately 30 minutes.
A structured plyometric training program performed twice a week for six weeks. Participants will wear a weighted vest equivalent to 10% of their body weight during the exercises. Each session lasts approximately 30 minutes.
Participants in this group will continue to perform their standard, routine football training sessions. They will not receive any additional or structured plyometric training program during the intervention period.
Pamukkale University, Faculty of Sport Sciences
Denizli, Denizli, Turkey (Türkiye)
Absolute Peak Torque (APT) of Knee Extensors and Flexors
Concentric isokinetic absolute peak torque (APT) of the knee extensors and flexors (dominant leg) will be evaluated at 60°/s and 120°/s angular velocities using a Cybex Humac Norm dynamometer during 5 maximal repetitions. (Unit of measure: Nm)
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), immediately post-training (Week 6), and after the detraining period (2nd and 4th week).
Relative Peak Torque (RPT) of Knee Extensors and Flexors
Concentric isokinetic relative peak torque (RPT) of the knee extensors and flexors (dominant leg) will be evaluated at 60°/s and 120°/s angular velocities using a Cybex Humac Norm dynamometer during 5 maximal repetitions. (Unit of measure: Nm/kg)
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), immediately post-training (Week 6), and after the detraining period (2nd and 4th week).
Time to Peak Torque (TPT) of Knee Extensors and Flexors
Concentric isokinetic time to peak torque (TPT) of the knee extensors and flexors (dominant leg) will be evaluated at 60°/s and 120°/s angular velocities using a Cybex Humac Norm dynamometer during 5 maximal repetitions. (Unit of measure: milliseconds)
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), immediately post-training (Week 6), and after the detraining period (2nd and 4th week).
Average Peak Torque (AvPT) of Knee Extensors and Flexors
Concentric isokinetic average peak torque (AvPT) of the knee extensors and flexors (dominant leg) will be evaluated at 60°/s and 120°/s angular velocities using a Cybex Humac Norm dynamometer during 5 maximal repetitions. (Unit of measure: Nm)
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), immediately post-training (Week 6), and after the detraining period (2nd and 4th week).
Average Rate of Force Development (AvRFD) of Knee Extensors and Flexors
Concentric isokinetic average rate of force development (AvRFD) of the knee extensors and flexors (dominant leg) will be evaluated at 60°/s and 120°/s angular velocities using a Cybex Humac Norm dynamometer during 5 maximal repetitions. (Unit of measure: Nm/s)
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), immediately post-training (Week 6), and after the detraining period (2nd and 4th week).
Vertical Jump Height (VJH)
Vertical jump height calculated from flight time will be evaluated using an electronic contact mat system (Fusion SmartJump, Fusion Sport, Australia). Participants will perform a countermovement jump without arm swing. The best value from 3 repetitions, separated by 1-minute rest intervals, will be recorded. (Unit of measure: cm)
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), immediately post-training (Week 6), and after the detraining period (2nd and 4th week).
Standing Long Jump (SLJ) Distance
Horizontal jump distance will be assessed. Participants will perform a maximum distance jump with two feet from behind a starting line. The best value from 3 repetitions will be recorded. (Unit of measure: cm)
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), immediately post-training (Week 6), and after the detraining period (2nd and 4th week).
15-Second Repeated Jump Test: Average Power (RJ15s-AP)
Average power (RJ15s-AP) will be evaluated during 15 seconds of continuous maximal vertical jumps using an electronic contact mat system (Fusion SmartJump, Fusion Sport, Australia). Participants will jump with hands on hips and an upright trunk. The value is calculated using the Bosco equation. (Unit of Measure: W)
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), immediately post-training (Week 6), and after the detraining period (2nd and 4th week).
15-Second Repeated Jump Test: Flight Time (RJ15s-FT)
Flight time (RJ15s-FT) will be evaluated during 15 seconds of continuous maximal vertical jumps using an electronic contact mat system (Fusion SmartJump, Fusion Sport, Australia). Participants will jump with hands on hips and an upright trunk. The value is calculated using the Bosco equation. (Unit of Measure: ms)
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), immediately post-training (Week 6), and after the detraining period (2nd and 4th week).
15-Second Repeated Jump Test: Number of Jumps (N-RJ15s)
The number of jumps (N-RJ15s) will be evaluated during 15 seconds of continuous maximal vertical jumps using an electronic contact mat system (Fusion SmartJump, Fusion Sport, Australia). Participants will jump with hands on hips and an upright trunk. (Unit of Measure: Count)
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), immediately post-training (Week 6), and after the detraining period (2nd and 4th week).
Functional Movement Capacity
Functional movement capacity and potential asymmetries will be evaluated using the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) kit, which consists of 7 movement patterns scored from 0 to 3 (max total score: 21). (Unit of measure: Score on a scale from 0 to 21)
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), immediately post-training (Week 6), and after the detraining period (2nd and 4th week).
Dynamic Balance and Neuromuscular Control
Dynamic balance will be measured using the Y-Balance Test kit. Reach distances in three directions will be normalized to the participant's leg length to assess lower extremity neuromuscular control and asymmetry. (Unit of measure: Percentage)
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), immediately post-training (Week 6), and after the detraining period (2nd and 4th week).
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