Athletic PerformanceNCT06406764
Effects of a Plyometric Training Program on Youths With Different Biological Maturity in Sport
A study testing Plyometric training in people with Athletic Performance and Muscle Fatigue, run by Palacky University at 1 site in Czechia.
Trial summary
This randomized controlled trial aims to assess the effectiveness of a 12-week plyometric training regimen on improving power, speed, and agility among boys aged 10 to 18 years who are actively engaged in sports and exhibit differing levels of biological maturity. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 10 to 18 years, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Athletic Performance, Muscle Fatigue, Plyometric Exercise
- What is being tested?
- Plyometric training
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 38 participants
- Where
- 1 siteCzechia
- Study dates
- 13 May 2024to 16 Aug 2024
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 10 to 18 years
- Men only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult
Who may be able to join
- Minimum of 2 years of organized sports participation.
- Good health as confirmed by a pre-study medical screening.
- Signed informed consent from the legal representative and verbal assent from the participant.
Who cannot join
- Any serious lower limb injury in the past 6 months.
- Any current or historical mental health disorders.
- Any condition deemed by the medical screener as a contraindication to vigorous physical activity.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: A Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating the Effect of Plyometric Training on Power, Speed, and Agility in Sport-active Boys With Different Biological Maturity
This randomized controlled trial aims to assess the effectiveness of a 12-week plyometric training regimen on improving power, speed, and agility among boys aged 10 to 18 years who are actively engaged in sports and exhibit differing levels of biological maturity. The study seeks to determine how maturation affects the responsiveness to the training program, potentially influencing future sports training approaches for young athletes.
Read the detailed description
The main objective of this project is to assess the impact of a plyometric program on power, speed, agility, reactive strength index and stiffness in male athletes of different levels of maturation. The study takes the form of a short-term experiment (12 weeks), involving 30 young athletes with a minimum of two years of experience in systematic sports training. Participants are divided into an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group undergoes a 12-week plyometric training program, implemented twice a week within training sessions immediately following warm-ups. The control group engages in technical-tactical exercises. The program is developed by the authors of the research project based on current knowledge and requirements for creating an effective and safe plyometric program. Randomization is performed using a computer random generator. Participants undergo two testing sessions: one prior to the training intervention and the other one week after its completion. Age, height, weight, and body composition are measured using a personal scale with an integrated stadiometer. Tests include a 30-m sprint, countermovement jump, broad jump, unilateral triple jump, drop jump (reactive strength index), 20 submaximal vertical jumps (lower limb stiffness), BlazePod reaction test, and 505 agility test. The maturity status of the participants is evaluated using the Mirwald method and is used as a covariate in the subsequent statistical analysis. Findings of this research may provide crucial insights for targeted integration of plyometric methods during the developmental and maturation phases of young athletes.
- Conditions
- Athletic Performance, Muscle Fatigue, Plyometric Exercise
- Being tested
- Plyometric training, Control training
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Plyometric trainingOther
Participants undergo a plyometric training program. The plyometric training consists of exercises in the horizontal, lateral, and vertical directions of movement. Exercises are progressively focused on maximal performance with short ground contact (<250 ms). The training sessions are twice per week.
Control trainingOther
Participants continues their regular sports activities without additional plyometric training. The training sessions are twice per week.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Plyometric training | Experimental | Plyometric training program for 12 weeks. Receives: Other: Plyometric training |
| Control training | Active comparator | Regular training program for 12 weeks. Receives: Other: Control training |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Vertical jump height
The vertical jump is performed on AMTI OR6-7-1000 force platform (Advanced Mechanical Technology, Watertown, USA). Participants stand on the force platform in an upright position and on command, perform a maximum height jump with a countermovement and use of arms. Participants perform three attempts, with a 1-min rest between each. The best attempt is evaluated.
Measured: 12 weeks
Broad jump distance
The distance in the broad jump is measured with a tape. Participants stand on a pre-marked line with legs approximately shoulder-width apart. From standing, they jump as far forward as possible using a countermovement and land on both feet. The landing spot closest to the starting line is considered for scoring. Participants perform two attempts, with the better attempt being recorded. There is a 1-min rest between attempts.
Measured: 12 weeks
Unilateral triple jump length
The length of the unilateral triple jump test is measured with a tape. Participants start on one leg on a pre-marked line. Then using a countermovement from knee flexion, they perform a triple jump with the dominant and subsequently the non-dominant lower limb. After the final jump, they must land on both limbs and maintain their position at the landing spot for at least 2 seconds.
Measured: 12 weeks
Secondary outcomes (5)
Linear speed
A 20-m sprint test is used to assess linear speed. The final time is recorded using photoelectric cells (Brower Timing System, Draper, USA) with accuracy of 0.01 s. Photocells are placed at the start and 20-m mark. Participants start on command, with timing starting as soon as the player begins to move.
Measured: 12 weeks
Agility test
For the 505 agility test, photoelectric cells (PR1aW, ALGE-TIMING, Lustenau, Austria) are used, placed at the 10-m mark. Cones are placed at the 0, 10, and 15-m marks. Participants sprint 10 meters and are instructed to reach maximum speed by the 10-m mark. At the 15-m mark, they perform a 180-degree turn and sprint back to the 10-m mark at maximum speed. Each participant have one attempt on the dominant and one attempt on the non-dominant leg for the 180-degree turn.
Measured: 12 weeks
Reaction test
In the BlazePod reaction test (Play Coyotta, Tel Aviv, Israel), 5 sensors are placed parallel, 1 m apart from each other. The participant stand 3 m in front of the middle sensor. When any sensor lights up, the participant must press it as quickly as possible and return to the starting position, waiting for the next sensor to light up. Sensors light up in a random order. The test lasts after 10 attempts.
Measured: 12 weeks
Lower limb stiffness
Lower limb stiffness is measured using the repeated submaximal jumps test (Optojump Next, Microgate, Italy). Participants perform 20 repeated jumps at a frequency of 2.5 Hz (mechanical metronome Wittner, Isny, Germany). Participants stand approximately shoulder-width apart with their hands on their sides throughout the test. Participants undergo three attempts with 2-min rest in between.
Measured: 12 weeks
Reactive strength index
Reactive strength index is measured using the drop jump on AMTI OR6-7-1000 force platform (Advanced Mechanical Technology, Watertown, USA). Participants stand with feet shoulder-width apart on a platform 30 cm above the floor and have their hands on their sides. Then they step off the platform with one foot and upon landing, rebound as quickly as possible and with maximum effort. Reactive strength index is calculated from the ratio of jump height to the duration of contact with the platform.
Measured: 12 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted9 May 2024
- Study start13 May 2024
- Primary completion16 Aug 2024
- Study completion16 Aug 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Athletic PerformanceStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 38 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Palacky University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Jakub Krejci, Palacky University
- Investigators
- Roman Holik, Mgr, Principal investigator, Palacky University, Faculty of Physical Culture
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06406764
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- FTK_2024_10
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 6 May 2024
- Last updated
- 2 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: Anonymised raw data will be made available.
Publications
Holik R, Krejci J, De Ste Croix M, Lehnert M. The effect of plyometric training on physical performance in youth soccer players: A randomized controlled trial with maturation status as a covariate. PLoS One. 2026 May 13;21(5):e0349011. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0349011. eCollection 2026.
PubMed 42127087
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 2 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- A Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating the Effect of Plyometric Training on Power, Speed, and Agility in Sport-active Boys With Different Biological Maturity
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06406764
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- FTK_2024_10
- Conditions
- Athletic Performance, Muscle Fatigue, Plyometric Exercise
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 38 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Palacky UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 13 May 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 16 Aug 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 16 Aug 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 9 May 2024 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This randomized controlled trial aims to assess the effectiveness of a 12-week plyometric training regimen on improving power, speed, and agility among boys aged 10 to 18 years who are actively engaged in sports and exhibit differing levels of biological maturity. The study seeks to determine how maturation affects the responsiveness to the training program, potentially influencing future sports training approaches for young athletes.
Detailed description
The main objective of this project is to assess the impact of a plyometric program on power, speed, agility, reactive strength index and stiffness in male athletes of different levels of maturation. The study takes the form of a short-term experiment (12 weeks), involving 30 young athletes with a minimum of two years of experience in systematic sports training. Participants are divided into an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group undergoes a 12-week plyometric training program, implemented twice a week within training sessions immediately following warm-ups. The control group engages in technical-tactical exercises. The program is developed by the authors of the research project based on current knowledge and requirements for creating an effective and safe plyometric program. Randomization is performed using a computer random generator. Participants undergo two testing sessions: one prior to the training intervention and the other one week after its completion. Age, height, weight, and body composition are measured using a personal scale with an integrated stadiometer. Tests include a 30-m sprint, countermovement jump, broad jump, unilateral triple jump, drop jump (reactive strength index), 20 submaximal vertical jumps (lower limb stiffness), BlazePod reaction test, and 505 agility test. The maturity status of the participants is evaluated using the Mirwald method and is used as a covariate in the subsequent statistical analysis. Findings of this research may provide crucial insights for targeted integration of plyometric methods during the developmental and maturation phases of young athletes.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Plyometric training | Experimental | Other: Plyometric trainingPlyometric training program for 12 weeks. |
| Control training | Active comparator | Other: Control trainingRegular training program for 12 weeks. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 10 to 18 years
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Minimum of 2 years of organized sports participation.
- Good health as confirmed by a pre-study medical screening.
- Signed informed consent from the legal representative and verbal assent from the participant.
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Any serious lower limb injury in the past 6 months.
- Any current or historical mental health disorders.
- Any condition deemed by the medical screener as a contraindication to vigorous physical activity.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Plyometric trainingParticipants undergo a plyometric training program. The plyometric training consists of exercises in the horizontal, lateral, and vertical directions of movement. Exercises are progressively focused on maximal performance with short ground contact (<250 ms). The training sessions are twice per week. | Other | Plyometric training |
| Control trainingParticipants continues their regular sports activities without additional plyometric training. The training sessions are twice per week. | Other | Control training |
Primary outcome
Vertical jump height
Time frame: 12 weeks
The vertical jump is performed on AMTI OR6-7-1000 force platform (Advanced Mechanical Technology, Watertown, USA). Participants stand on the force platform in an upright position and on command, perform a maximum height jump with a countermovement and use of arms. Participants perform three attempts, with a 1-min rest between each. The best attempt is evaluated.
Broad jump distance
Time frame: 12 weeks
The distance in the broad jump is measured with a tape. Participants stand on a pre-marked line with legs approximately shoulder-width apart. From standing, they jump as far forward as possible using a countermovement and land on both feet. The landing spot closest to the starting line is considered for scoring. Participants perform two attempts, with the better attempt being recorded. There is a 1-min rest between attempts.
Unilateral triple jump length
Time frame: 12 weeks
The length of the unilateral triple jump test is measured with a tape. Participants start on one leg on a pre-marked line. Then using a countermovement from knee flexion, they perform a triple jump with the dominant and subsequently the non-dominant lower limb. After the final jump, they must land on both limbs and maintain their position at the landing spot for at least 2 seconds.
5 secondary outcomes
Linear speed
Time frame: 12 weeks
Agility test
Time frame: 12 weeks
Reaction test
Time frame: 12 weeks
Lower limb stiffness
Time frame: 12 weeks
Reactive strength index
Time frame: 12 weeks
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 2 Jun 2026.
- Results publication: PubMed 42127087Holik R, Krejci J, De Ste Croix M, Lehnert M. The effect of plyometric training on physical performance in youth soccer players: A randomized controlled trial with maturation status as a covariate. PLoS One. 2026 May 13;21(5):e0349011. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0349011. eCollection 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. Anonymised raw data will be made available.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Roman Holik, Mgr principal investigator
Palacky University, Faculty of Physical Culture
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Plyometric training in people with Athletic Performance and Muscle Fatigue, run by Palacky University at 1 site in Czechia.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 2 Jun 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Czechia. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Vertical jump height (time frame: 12 weeks). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06406764, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 2 Jun 2026.