Microdosed Versus Conventional Plyometric Training in Adolescent Basketball Players

Overview

This randomized controlled trial compared microdosed and conventional plyometric training in adolescent male basketball players. Forty participants aged 12-16 years were randomly assigned to either a microdosed training group or a conventional training group for 8 weeks. Both groups performed the same plyometric exercises and completed the same weekly training volume of 240 ground contacts. The microdosed group completed six sessions per week with 40 ground contacts per session, whereas the conventional group completed two sessions per week with 120 ground contacts per session. The study evaluated changes in jump performance, reactive strength, sprint performance, agility, and body composition. The study was completed before registration on ClinicalTrials.gov and is being registered retrospectively for transparency.

This study was an 8-week, assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial designed to compare the effects of microdosed and conventional plyometric training in adolescent male basketball players. Forty male basketball players aged 12-16 years were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to a microdosed training group (MT, n=20) or a conventional training group (CT, n=20). Both groups continued their regular basketball training and performed the same plyometric exercises, including ankle hops, hurdle jumps, and drop jumps. The total weekly plyometric training volume was matched between groups. The MT group completed six sessions per week with 40 ground contacts per session, whereas the CT group completed two sessions per week with 120 ground contacts per session. Therefore, both groups completed 240 ground contacts per week and 1,920 ground contacts over the 8-week intervention. Exercise technique, hurdle height, box height, and recovery intervals were standardized between groups. Outcomes were assessed before and after the intervention. These included body mass, body fat percentage, countermovement jump height and concentric peak power, squat jump height and concentric peak power, eccentric utilization ratio, drop jump height, reactive strength index, three-quarter-court sprint time, and hexagon test completion time. This study was completed before registration on ClinicalTrials.gov. Therefore, this record represents a retrospective registration based on the completed study protocol and collected study data.