Aquatic Versus Land-Based Plyometric Exercises on Vertical Jump Performance and Landing Mechanics

NCT ID: NCT07081854

Last Updated: 2025-07-23

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 60 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-07-30
• Study Completion Date: 2026-07-15

Brief Summary

This study will will be conducted to investigate the effect of aquatic versus land-based plyometric training on vertical jump performance, landing mechanics, quadriceps and hamstring muscles isometric strength in Basketball Players?

Detailed Description

Plyometric training, a type of exercise that involves explosive movements designed to enhance muscular power, has become a cornerstone in athletic conditioning. It is particularly effective for improving lower-body power and vertical jump performance, which are critical for sports such as basketball, volleyball, and track events. By utilizing the stretch-shortening cycle of muscles, plyometric exercises help athletes generate rapid force, thus enhancing their overall athletic performance. Vertical jump performance is a widely recognized indicator of an athlete's explosive power, agility, and lower-limb strength. In many sports, improving vertical jump height is prioritized as a key performance metric, as it reflects an athlete's ability to perform dynamic movements. Enhancements in jump height not only contribute to improved vertical leaps but also translate into better sprinting ability and more agile movements on the field.

While land-based plyometric training is well-established as an effective method for improving athletic performance, aquatic plyometric training has gained attention due to its low-impact nature. Although studies have compared these two modalities, there remains a lack of consensus regarding their relative effectiveness, necessitating further exploration Investigating how these different training methods influence athletic outcomes will help clarify their respective advantages and inform training practices. In contrast, aquatic plyometric training offers a lower-impact alternative by utilizing the buoyant properties of water. This training modality reduces the stress on joints and soft tissues while still enhancing jump performance. As a result, aquatic plyometric training is especially suitable for injury-prone athletes or those recovering from previous injuries, as the water's resistance can help improve strength without risking further harm.

While aquatic plyometric training may lead to smaller gains in vertical jump height compared to land-based training, it provides a safer environment for skill development. Studies have highlighted that aquatic training is especially beneficial for athletes who need joint protection, such as those involved in water sports. Its controlled environment helps mitigate the impact associated with high-intensity training, allowing athletes to maximize their performance without increasing injury risk. Proper landing mechanics are crucial to minimizing the risk of lower-extremity injuries during plyometric exercises. Faulty landing techniques, such as excessive knee valgus, are strongly linked to injuries like anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears. It is essential for training programs to incorporate biomechanical assessments to ensure that athletes execute movements safely, reducing the likelihood of injury.

Despite the valuable insights provided by recent research, further studies are needed to explore the effects of aquatic and land-based plyometric training across diverse athletic populations. Such research could inform the development of optimal training protocols that maximize performance and minimize injury risk.

Conditions

Healthy

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Land-Based Plyometric Training

20 Participants will perform traditional plyometric exercises on land (e.g., box jumps, depth jumps, jump squats)

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Land-Based Plyometric Training

Intervention Type: OTHER

Participants will perform traditional plyometric exercises on land aimed at improving lower-body power and neuromuscular performance.

Exercises:

1. Box Jumps: Jumping onto a box of progressively higher levels to build explosive strength.

2. Depth Jumps: Stepping off a box and immediately jumping vertically upon landing.

3. Jump Squats: Explosive vertical jumps starting from a squat position.

4. Lateral Bounding: Jumping side-to-side to enhance lateral agility.

5. Broad Jumps: Maximal horizontal jumps for distance.

6. Tuck Jumps: Jumping while bringing knees to the chest in mid-air.

Aquatic Plyometric Training

20 Participants will perform plyometric exercises in a shallow pool (water depth ranging from the xiphoid process to just below it . The exercises will include water jump squats, water box jumps, and other water-resisted plyometric movements.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Aquatic Plyometric Training

Intervention Type: OTHER

Participants will perform plyometric exercises in a shallow pool, with the water depth fixed at the xiphoid process level (chest height). Greater peak mechanical power was observed for jumps performed in the water and was influenced by immersion depth.

Exercises:

1. Box Jumps: Jumping onto a box of progressively higher levels to build explosive strength.

2. Depth Jumps: Stepping off a box and immediately jumping vertically upon landing.

3. Jump Squats: Explosive vertical jumps starting from a squat position.

4. Lateral Bounding: Jumping side-to-side to enhance lateral agility.

5. Broad Jumps: Maximal horizontal jumps for distance.

6. Tuck Jumps: Jumping while bringing knees to the chest in mid-air.

Key Points:

• Encouraged to perform movements explosively while applying maximal effort.
• Proper execution is emphasized to maintain biomechanical integrity even in the water environment.
• Water temperature: 25-28 °

General conditioning exercises

20 Participants will follow general conditioning exercises

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

General conditioning exercises

Intervention Type: OTHER

Participants will follow a general conditioning routine that does not include plyometric exercises.

Exercises:

1. Bodyweight squats.

2. Lunges.

3. Core stability exercises (e.g., planks, bridges).

4. General cardio activities such as light jogging or cycling.

Interventions

Land-Based Plyometric Training

Participants will perform traditional plyometric exercises on land aimed at improving lower-body power and neuromuscular performance.

Exercises:

1. Box Jumps: Jumping onto a box of progressively higher levels to build explosive strength.

2. Depth Jumps: Stepping off a box and immediately jumping vertically upon landing.

3. Jump Squats: Explosive vertical jumps starting from a squat position.

4. Lateral Bounding: Jumping side-to-side to enhance lateral agility.

5. Broad Jumps: Maximal horizontal jumps for distance.

6. Tuck Jumps: Jumping while bringing knees to the chest in mid-air.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Aquatic Plyometric Training

Participants will perform plyometric exercises in a shallow pool, with the water depth fixed at the xiphoid process level (chest height). Greater peak mechanical power was observed for jumps performed in the water and was influenced by immersion depth.

Exercises:

1. Box Jumps: Jumping onto a box of progressively higher levels to build explosive strength.

2. Depth Jumps: Stepping off a box and immediately jumping vertically upon landing.

3. Jump Squats: Explosive vertical jumps starting from a squat position.

4. Lateral Bounding: Jumping side-to-side to enhance lateral agility.

5. Broad Jumps: Maximal horizontal jumps for distance.

6. Tuck Jumps: Jumping while bringing knees to the chest in mid-air.

Key Points:

• Encouraged to perform movements explosively while applying maximal effort.
• Proper execution is emphasized to maintain biomechanical integrity even in the water environment.
• Water temperature: 25-28 °

Intervention Type: OTHER

General conditioning exercises

Participants will follow a general conditioning routine that does not include plyometric exercises.

Exercises:

1. Bodyweight squats.

2. Lunges.

3. Core stability exercises (e.g., planks, bridges).

4. General cardio activities such as light jogging or cycling.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Age: 18 to 30 years old .
• Plyometric Training Experience: At least one year of prior experience in plyometric or athletic training.

Exclusion Criteria

• Participation in any other exercise programs outside the experimental one (e.g., gymnastics).

• History of severe musculoskeletal injuries or surgeries within the past 6 months.
• Any medical conditions that would contraindicate plyometric exercise (e.g., cardiovascular, respiratory conditions).

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 30 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Cairo University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Mohamed Sayed Abdelaziz Mohamed

principle investigator : mohamed sayed abdelaziz mohamed

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Central Contacts

Mohamed Abdelaziz, Master

Role: CONTACT

Mohamed3afifi1@Gmail.com

0 11 24348662

Other Identifiers

P.T.REC/012/005756

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id