Athletic PerformanceNCT07484425
Different Drop Height Plyometric Training in Soccer Players
A study testing Experimental Group 1, Experimental Group 2 and Experimental Group 3 in people with Athletic Performance and Muscle Strength, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
This randomized controlled trial aims to determine the effects of different drop height plyometric training protocols on lower limb explosive strength, anaerobic power, and change of direction (COD) performance in soccer players. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 30 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Athletic Performance, Muscle Strength
- What is being tested?
- Experimental Group 1, Experimental Group 2 and Experimental Group 3
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 56 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 1 Dec 2025to 1 Sep 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 18 to 30 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Male and female soccer players
- Age between 18-30 years
- Minimum 1 year of regular soccer training
- Healthy BMI
- Currently active in competitive soccer (>3 days/week)
Who cannot join
- Musculoskeletal or neurological disorders
- Lower limb injury within past 6 months
- Participation in structured plyometric training in last 3 months
- Contraindications to high-impact training
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Pakistan1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Punjab Sports Board
Lahore, Punjab Province, 547000
Danish Hassan, PhD, 03457946009, danish.hassan009@gmail.com
Ahmad Hassan, MS
About this study
Official title: Effects of Low, Moderate and High Drop Height Plyometric Training on Lower Limb Explosive Strength, Anaerobic Power and Change of Direction Performance in Competitive Soccer Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This randomized controlled trial aims to determine the effects of different drop height plyometric training protocols on lower limb explosive strength, anaerobic power, and change of direction (COD) performance in soccer players. A total of 56 competitive soccer players aged 18-30 years will be randomly allocated into three intervention groups using sealed envelope randomization: low drop height (30 cm), moderate drop height (45 cm), and high drop height (60 cm) plyometric training groups. Participants will undergo supervised plyometric training three times per week for six weeks. Outcome measures including Vertical Jump Test, Running-Based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST), and T-Test Agility Test will be assessed at baseline and post-intervention. Statistical analysis will be performed using SPSS version 25 to determine within-group and between-group differences.
Read the detailed description
Soccer is one of the most widely played and physically demanding sports worldwide involving a dynamic blend of aerobic and anaerobic movements, requiring athletes to possess a high level of technical skill, tactical awareness, and physical conditioning. Among the essential physical attributes, lower-limb explosive strength is particularly important, as it contributes to key actions such as sprinting, jumping, and powerful kicking. Anaerobic power and agility are also crucial for executing short bursts of high-intensity movements during both offensive and defensive plays. In particular, the ability to rapidly change direction (COD) allows players to evade opponents, maintain possession, and react swiftly to evolving match scenarios. These physical demands highlight the importance of incorporating targeted training strategies-such as plyometric exercises-to enhance performance outcomes in soccer. Recent evidence supports this approach, showing that plyometric training significantly improves jumping ability, sprint performance, and COD in adolescent soccer players.
One of the most critical performance qualities for a soccer player is lower-limb explosive strength, which contributes to movements such as kicking, jumping, and sprinting. Anaerobic power and agility also play essential roles in performing high-intensity tasks over short durations, contributing to both offensive and defensive capabilities on the field. The ability to quickly change of direction (COD) is often what distinguishes top-tier soccer players from others. This skill is essential for maintaining possession of the ball, evading opponents, and positioning oneself for optimal play.
One training method that has gained considerable attention in recent years is plyometric training. Plyometrics involve high-intensity exercises that take advantage of the stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) to increase muscle power. Specifically, drop jumps have been shown to be highly effective in improving explosive strength, anaerobic power, and agility in soccer players. Drop jumps typically involve an athlete jumping from a height and then performing a maximal jump immediately upon landing. The drop height influences the eccentric load applied to the muscles, which in turn can affect the muscular adaptations and performance outcomes.
Exercises like drop jumps are especially effective for boosting key performance skills such as vertical jump height, sprint speed, and change-of-direction (COD) ability. These exercises work by having athletes step off a platform, absorb the landing, and immediately spring upward, challenging both their strength and reactivity. The review found that drop-jump training can lead to meaningful improvements in how athletes move, react, and perform on the field. This makes it a valuable focus for research, especially when exploring how different jump heights might impact soccer players' explosive strength, anaerobic power, and agility.
Most research on drop-jump training has focused on moderate drop heights between 30 and 45 cm, Moderate heights like 40 cm are generally believed to provide better improvements in sprint speed and agility compared to lower heights, making them a common choice in training programs. Similarly, combining both horizontal and vertical plyometric training significantly improved the explosive performance and COD abilities of youth soccer players. However, it is unclear whether the same protocols applied to higher-intensity players (adult males) would produce similar or even more profound benefits.
This study aims to fill the knowledge gap on increasing drop heights and their impact on male adult football players. This study will specifically investigate the effects of varying drop heights (low 30 cm, moderate 45 cm, and high 60 cm) on male football players' anaerobic power, explosive strength, and COD performance. The results of this study will help build better training plans that improve athletic performance while lowering the risk of injury and will provide light on how plyometric regimens might be tailored for adult football players. The most efficient drop height for improving the many physical attributes required for football performance, like power, speed, and agility, is another goal of this study.
- Conditions
- Athletic Performance, Muscle Strength
- Being tested
- Experimental Group 1, Experimental Group 2, Experimental Group 3
- Keywords
- Plyometric Training, Drop Jump Training, Explosive Strength, Anaerobic Power, Agility Performance, Soccer Players, Vertical Jump
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Experimental Group 1Other
Participants will perform supervised plyometric exercises including drop jumps, bounding drills, and box jumps using a 30 cm platform
Experimental Group 2Other
Participants will perform supervised plyometric exercises including drop jumps, bounding drills, and box jumps using a 45 cm platform
Experimental Group 3Other
Participants will perform supervised plyometric exercises including drop jumps, bounding drills, and box jumps using a 60 cm platform
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Low Drop Height Plyometric Training (30 cm) | Experimental | Participants will perform supervised plyometric exercises including drop jumps, bounding drills, and box jumps using a 30 cm platform. Training will be conducted three sessions per week for six weeks with 3-4 sets per session under supervision. Receives: Other: Experimental Group 2 |
| Moderate Drop Height Plyometric Training (45 cm) | Experimental | Participants will perform supervised plyometric exercises including drop jumps, bounding drills, and box jumps using a 45 cm platform. Training will be conducted three sessions per week for six weeks with 3-4 sets per session under supervision. Receives: Other: Experimental Group 3 |
| High Drop Height Plyometric Training (60 cm) | Experimental | Participants will perform supervised plyometric exercises including drop jumps, bounding drills, and box jumps using a 60 cm platform. Training will be conducted three sessions per week for six weeks with 3-4 sets per session under supervision. Receives: Other: Experimental Group 1 |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Lower Limb Explosive Strength
Explosive strength will be measured using the Vertical Jump Test. Jump height will be recorded and peak power will be calculated using the Sayers Equation.
Measured: Baseline; 7-Week Post-Intervention
Anaerobic Power
Anaerobic power will be assessed using the Running-Based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST). Peak power, average power and fatigue index will be calculated.
Measured: Baseline: 7-Week Post-Intervention
Change of Direction Performance
Change of direction ability will be assessed using the T-Test Agility Test and recorded in seconds.
Measured: Baseline ; 7-Week Post Intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted20 Mar 2026
- Study start1 Dec 2025
- Primary completion1 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Sep 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (6)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
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 56 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Danish Hassan, PhD, Principal investigator, Riphah International University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07484425
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Ahmad Hassan REC/25/0416
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 16 Mar 2026
- Last updated
- 20 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Bai Y, Zheng Z, Gong B, Shen Y. Effects of different drop height training on lower limb explosive, anaerobic power, and change of direction performance in Chinese elite female wrestler. Heliyon. 2024 Sep 24;10(19):e38146. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e38146. eCollection 2024 Oct 15.
PubMed 39398032Yang G, Chen W, Qi D, Zhang J, Men Z. The Effects of a 6-Week Plyometric and Sprint Interval Training Intervention on Soccer Player's Physical Performance. J Sports Sci Med. 2024 Sep 1;23(1):526-536. doi: 10.52082/jssm.2024.526. eCollection 2024 Sep.
PubMed 39228777Ahmadabadi S, Rjabi H, Gharakhanlou R, Talebian S, Basereh A. Effects of a 4-week plyometric training on activity patterns during different phases of one-leg drop jump with focus on jump height. Sci Rep. 2023 Jun 6;13(1):9192. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-36461-1.
PubMed 37280245Sun J, Sun J, Shaharudin S, Zhang Q. Effects of plyometrics training on lower limb strength, power, agility, and body composition in athletically trained adults: systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci Rep. 2025 Oct 1;15(1):34146. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-10652-4.
PubMed 41034241Soyler M, Zileli R, Cingoz YE, Kilincarslan G, Kayantas I, Altug T, Asan S, Sahin M, Gurkan AC. The effect of high-intensity plyometric training on anaerobic performance parameters: a pilot study in U17 elite A league. PeerJ. 2024 Jan 10;12:e16648. doi: 10.7717/peerj.16648. eCollection 2024.
PubMed 38223755Shuai C, Xiangyu W, Zihao L, Xinqi J, Li G. Effects of Plyometric Training on Lower-Limb Explosive Power and Its Retention After Detraining in Sprinters. Am J Mens Health. 2025 Jul-Aug;19(4):15579883251363089. doi: 10.1177/15579883251363089. Epub 2025 Aug 13.
PubMed 40801377
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 20 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Low, Moderate and High Drop Height Plyometric Training on Lower Limb Explosive Strength, Anaerobic Power and Change of Direction Performance in Competitive Soccer Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07484425
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Ahmad Hassan REC/25/0416
- Conditions
- Athletic Performance, Muscle Strength
- Keywords
- Plyometric Training, Drop Jump Training, Explosive Strength, Anaerobic Power, Agility Performance, Soccer Players, Vertical Jump
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 56 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 20 Mar 2026 (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 determine the effects of different drop height plyometric training protocols on lower limb explosive strength, anaerobic power, and change of direction (COD) performance in soccer players. A total of 56 competitive soccer players aged 18-30 years will be randomly allocated into three intervention groups using sealed envelope randomization: low drop height (30 cm), moderate drop height (45 cm), and high drop height (60 cm) plyometric training groups. Participants will undergo supervised plyometric training three times per week for six weeks. Outcome measures including Vertical Jump Test, Running-Based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST), and T-Test Agility Test will be assessed at baseline and post-intervention. Statistical analysis will be performed using SPSS version 25 to determine within-group and between-group differences.
Detailed description
Soccer is one of the most widely played and physically demanding sports worldwide involving a dynamic blend of aerobic and anaerobic movements, requiring athletes to possess a high level of technical skill, tactical awareness, and physical conditioning. Among the essential physical attributes, lower-limb explosive strength is particularly important, as it contributes to key actions such as sprinting, jumping, and powerful kicking. Anaerobic power and agility are also crucial for executing short bursts of high-intensity movements during both offensive and defensive plays. In particular, the ability to rapidly change direction (COD) allows players to evade opponents, maintain possession, and react swiftly to evolving match scenarios. These physical demands highlight the importance of incorporating targeted training strategies-such as plyometric exercises-to enhance performance outcomes in soccer. Recent evidence supports this approach, showing that plyometric training significantly improves jumping ability, sprint performance, and COD in adolescent soccer players.
One of the most critical performance qualities for a soccer player is lower-limb explosive strength, which contributes to movements such as kicking, jumping, and sprinting. Anaerobic power and agility also play essential roles in performing high-intensity tasks over short durations, contributing to both offensive and defensive capabilities on the field. The ability to quickly change of direction (COD) is often what distinguishes top-tier soccer players from others. This skill is essential for maintaining possession of the ball, evading opponents, and positioning oneself for optimal play.
One training method that has gained considerable attention in recent years is plyometric training. Plyometrics involve high-intensity exercises that take advantage of the stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) to increase muscle power. Specifically, drop jumps have been shown to be highly effective in improving explosive strength, anaerobic power, and agility in soccer players. Drop jumps typically involve an athlete jumping from a height and then performing a maximal jump immediately upon landing. The drop height influences the eccentric load applied to the muscles, which in turn can affect the muscular adaptations and performance outcomes.
Exercises like drop jumps are especially effective for boosting key performance skills such as vertical jump height, sprint speed, and change-of-direction (COD) ability. These exercises work by having athletes step off a platform, absorb the landing, and immediately spring upward, challenging both their strength and reactivity. The review found that drop-jump training can lead to meaningful improvements in how athletes move, react, and perform on the field. This makes it a valuable focus for research, especially when exploring how different jump heights might impact soccer players' explosive strength, anaerobic power, and agility.
Most research on drop-jump training has focused on moderate drop heights between 30 and 45 cm, Moderate heights like 40 cm are generally believed to provide better improvements in sprint speed and agility compared to lower heights, making them a common choice in training programs. Similarly, combining both horizontal and vertical plyometric training significantly improved the explosive performance and COD abilities of youth soccer players. However, it is unclear whether the same protocols applied to higher-intensity players (adult males) would produce similar or even more profound benefits.
This study aims to fill the knowledge gap on increasing drop heights and their impact on male adult football players. This study will specifically investigate the effects of varying drop heights (low 30 cm, moderate 45 cm, and high 60 cm) on male football players' anaerobic power, explosive strength, and COD performance. The results of this study will help build better training plans that improve athletic performance while lowering the risk of injury and will provide light on how plyometric regimens might be tailored for adult football players. The most efficient drop height for improving the many physical attributes required for football performance, like power, speed, and agility, is another goal of this study.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind (participant, care provider, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Low Drop Height Plyometric Training (30 cm) | Experimental | Other: Experimental Group 2Participants will perform supervised plyometric exercises including drop jumps, bounding drills, and box jumps using a 30 cm platform. Training will be conducted three sessions per week for six weeks with 3-4 sets per session under supervision. |
| Moderate Drop Height Plyometric Training (45 cm) | Experimental | Other: Experimental Group 3Participants will perform supervised plyometric exercises including drop jumps, bounding drills, and box jumps using a 45 cm platform. Training will be conducted three sessions per week for six weeks with 3-4 sets per session under supervision. |
| High Drop Height Plyometric Training (60 cm) | Experimental | Other: Experimental Group 1Participants will perform supervised plyometric exercises including drop jumps, bounding drills, and box jumps using a 60 cm platform. Training will be conducted three sessions per week for six weeks with 3-4 sets per session under supervision. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 30 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Male and female soccer players
- Age between 18-30 years
- Minimum 1 year of regular soccer training
- Healthy BMI
- Currently active in competitive soccer (>3 days/week)
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Musculoskeletal or neurological disorders
- Lower limb injury within past 6 months
- Participation in structured plyometric training in last 3 months
- Contraindications to high-impact training
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Experimental Group 1Participants will perform supervised plyometric exercises including drop jumps, bounding drills, and box jumps using a 30 cm platform | Other | High Drop Height Plyometric Training (60 cm) |
| Experimental Group 2Participants will perform supervised plyometric exercises including drop jumps, bounding drills, and box jumps using a 45 cm platform | Other | Low Drop Height Plyometric Training (30 cm) |
| Experimental Group 3Participants will perform supervised plyometric exercises including drop jumps, bounding drills, and box jumps using a 60 cm platform | Other | Moderate Drop Height Plyometric Training (45 cm) |
Primary outcome
Lower Limb Explosive Strength
Time frame: Baseline; 7-Week Post-Intervention
Explosive strength will be measured using the Vertical Jump Test. Jump height will be recorded and peak power will be calculated using the Sayers Equation.
Anaerobic Power
Time frame: Baseline: 7-Week Post-Intervention
Anaerobic power will be assessed using the Running-Based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST). Peak power, average power and fatigue index will be calculated.
Change of Direction Performance
Time frame: Baseline ; 7-Week Post Intervention
Change of direction ability will be assessed using the T-Test Agility Test and recorded in seconds.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 20 Mar 2026.
- Background: PubMed 39398032Bai Y, Zheng Z, Gong B, Shen Y. Effects of different drop height training on lower limb explosive, anaerobic power, and change of direction performance in Chinese elite female wrestler. Heliyon. 2024 Sep 24;10(19):e38146. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e38146. eCollection 2024 Oct 15.
- Background: PubMed 39228777Yang G, Chen W, Qi D, Zhang J, Men Z. The Effects of a 6-Week Plyometric and Sprint Interval Training Intervention on Soccer Player's Physical Performance. J Sports Sci Med. 2024 Sep 1;23(1):526-536. doi: 10.52082/jssm.2024.526. eCollection 2024 Sep.
- Background: PubMed 37280245Ahmadabadi S, Rjabi H, Gharakhanlou R, Talebian S, Basereh A. Effects of a 4-week plyometric training on activity patterns during different phases of one-leg drop jump with focus on jump height. Sci Rep. 2023 Jun 6;13(1):9192. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-36461-1.
- Background: PubMed 41034241Sun J, Sun J, Shaharudin S, Zhang Q. Effects of plyometrics training on lower limb strength, power, agility, and body composition in athletically trained adults: systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci Rep. 2025 Oct 1;15(1):34146. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-10652-4.
- Background: PubMed 38223755Soyler M, Zileli R, Cingoz YE, Kilincarslan G, Kayantas I, Altug T, Asan S, Sahin M, Gurkan AC. The effect of high-intensity plyometric training on anaerobic performance parameters: a pilot study in U17 elite A league. PeerJ. 2024 Jan 10;12:e16648. doi: 10.7717/peerj.16648. eCollection 2024.
- Background: PubMed 40801377Shuai C, Xiangyu W, Zihao L, Xinqi J, Li G. Effects of Plyometric Training on Lower-Limb Explosive Power and Its Retention After Detraining in Sprinters. Am J Mens Health. 2025 Jul-Aug;19(4):15579883251363089. doi: 10.1177/15579883251363089. Epub 2025 Aug 13.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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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.
Danish Hassan, PhD principal investigator
Riphah International University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Experimental Group 1, Experimental Group 2 and Experimental Group 3 in people with Athletic Performance and Muscle Strength, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
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 5 inclusion and 4 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 20 Mar 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 Pakistan. 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Danish Hassan, Phd (+92 345 7946009, danish.hassan009@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Lower Limb Explosive Strength (time frame: Baseline; 7-Week Post-Intervention). 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 NCT07484425, which also lists 6 linked publications.
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 20 Mar 2026.