A Randomized Crossover Study on Diverse Training Methods to Enhance University Athletes' Performance and Health

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Whole-Body Electrical Muscle Stimulation (WB-EMS) Training: Whole-Body Electrical Muscle Stimulation (WB-EMS) Training is a novel training modality that involves the simultaneous electrical stimulation of multiple muscle groups while performing dynamic exercises. Participants in the WB-EMS Training Group will use the miha bodytec device (Augsburg, Germany), which consists of a special suit with integrated electrodes covering major muscle groups. The device generates electrical impulses (85 Hz, 350 μs) that cause involuntary muscle contractions during exercises like squats, lunges, and trunk rotations.Each 20-25-minute WB-EMS session will be conducted twice a week during the two 8-week intervention periods. Sessions will include a warm-up followed by 4-6 WB-EMS exercises performed for 4-6 seconds each, with 4 seconds of rest between exercises. The intensity of the stimulation and exercises will be progressively increased based on individual adaptation and tolerance, with the stimulation intensity set at 70-85% of the maximal tolerable level.

Plyometric Training: Plyometric Training is a high-intensity, explosive strength training modality that involves quick, powerful movements designed to increase muscle power, speed, and agility. Participants in the Plyometric Training Group will engage in a progressive plyometric training program that emphasizes eccentric muscle loading followed by rapid concentric contractions. The plyometric exercises will include various types of jumps, hops, and bounds, such as box jumps, depth jumps, split squat jumps, and single-leg hops. Each training session will begin with a dynamic warm-up, followed by 4-6 plyometric drills performed for 3-5 sets of 8-12 repetitions, with 60-90 seconds of rest between sets. The intensity and volume of the exercises will be gradually increased over the two 8-week intervention periods.

Functional Training: Functional Training is a training approach that focuses on exercises that simulate the demands of specific sports or daily activities, targeting multiple muscle groups and movement patterns simultaneously. Participants in the Functional Training Group will engage in a tailored functional training program designed to enhance their performance in basketball or volleyball. The functional training exercises will incorporate multi-joint, multi-planar movements that mimic game-specific actions, such as multidirectional lunges, rotational medicine ball throws, and single-leg balance drills. Each session will start with a dynamic warm-up, followed by 6-8 functional exercises performed for 3-4 sets of 8-12 repetitions, with 60 seconds of rest between sets. The program will also include core stability and injury prevention exercises.

Study summary

The goal of this randomized crossover study is to investigate the effects of plyometric training, functional training, and whole-body electrical muscle stimulation (WB-EMS) on athletic performance and health in university basketball and volleyball players. The main questions it aims to answer are:

1. Which training modality (plyometric, functional, or WB-EMS) leads to the greatest improvements in athletic performance measures such as power, speed, and agility?
2. How do these training modalities compare in terms of their effects on overall health, injury risk reduction, and psychological well-being?

Researchers will use a crossover design, where each participant experiences multiple training modalities in a sequential manner, to provide a more rigorous and comprehensive evaluation of the interventions' effectiveness.

Participants will:

1. Be randomly assigned to one of four training sequences, each consisting of two 8-week intervention periods separated by a 4-week washout phase;
2. Experience at least two of the three training modalities (plyometric, functional, or WB-EMS) during the intervention periods;
3. Maintain their regular training routines if assigned to the control group;
4. Undergo assessments, including anthropometric measurements, physical fitness tests, and questionnaires, at baseline, after each intervention period, and during a follow-up session.

The findings of this study will provide valuable insights into the optimal sequencing and combination of training modalities to maximize athletic performance and promote health among university basketball and volleyball players.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Squat Jump (SJ) Test — From enrollment to the end of intervention at 20 weeks（8 weeks for phase 1,4 weeks for wash out and 8 weeks for phase 2）
  The squat jump is a performance test used to measure the explosive power of an athlete's lower extremities, particularly focusing on the ability to generate force from a static position. Participants begin by standing with their feet shoulder-width apart, then descend into a squat position until their thighs are parallel to the ground. From this static squat position, they explosively jump as high as possible without the assistance of arm movement. This test typically involves performing two jumps, with a 45-second rest interval between jumps. The highest jump (cm) from the two attempts is recorded. A three-dimensional force platform, the Just Jump system NO101 (Probotics Inc.), is commonly used to measure and collect height data during the jumping process. The test is significantly correlated with explosive power and athletic performance, demonstrating excellent reliability with an intra-session ICC of 0.97 and an inter-session ICC of 0.94.
• Countermovement Jump（CMJ） — From enrollment to the end of intervention at 20 weeks（8 weeks for phase 1,4 weeks for wash out and 8 weeks for phase 2）
  Participants are required to stand with their feet shoulder-width apart, toes slightly pointing outwards, and hands placed on their hips to prevent arm movement, allowing for an accurate assessment of lower extremity explosive power. At the start of the test, participants rapidly bend their knees, lowering their center of gravity until their knees reach approximately a 90-degree angle, then quickly extend their knee, hip, and ankle joints, jumping upwards with maximum effort. Each movement is performed twice, with a 45-second rest interval between jumps. The best jump height data (cm) is recorded. Jump height data during the jumping process is collected using a three-dimensional force platform NO101 (Just Jump, Probotics Inc.). The CMJ is a widely used and validated method for assessing jumping ability and explosive power, demonstrating good reliability and validity with an intra-session ICC of 0.95 and an inter-session ICC of 0.93.
• Running Jump Off Test — From enrollment to the end of intervention at 20 weeks（8 weeks for phase 1,4 weeks for wash out and 8 weeks for phase 2）
  The running jump off test requires participants to first stand directly beneath the apparatus, with their feet flat on the ground and one arm extended upwards to measure their standing reach height. The subject then stands approximately 15 feet (about 5 meters) from the base of the apparatus. In preparation for the jump, they take 3 to 5 steps, then take off from both legs (or a single leg, depending on the specific requirements of the test), using their arms to help propel their body upwards. The goal is to have the body positioned directly beneath the apparatus at the peak of the jump, with arms fully extended, which may require some practice to perfect the timing and takeoff point. The difference between the standing reach height and the highest point touched during the jump is recorded, with the best result (cm) from three attempts being noted. The vertical jump apparatus is used, demonstrating good reliability with an ICC ranging from 0.90 to 0.96.
• Modified 505 Change of Direction Test — From enrollment to the end of intervention at 20 weeks（8 weeks for phase 1,4 weeks for wash out and 8 weeks for phase 2）
  The 505 Change of Direction (COD) test, performed from a stationary start, evaluates an athlete's ability to execute a rapid 180° turn within a 5-meter distance. The athlete begins the test from a standing position, placing their preferred foot half a meter behind the starting line and using this foot as the turning pivot. Each athlete performs three attempts, with the fastest completion time (s) recorded using precise timing equipment. A two-minute rest period is provided between each trial. According to the definition by Nimphius et al., the change of direction deficit (CODDEF) for the 505 test is determined using the following formula: CODDEF = (Modified 505 test time - 10-meter sprint time). This test demonstrates good reliability with an ICC of 0.87 and is highly correlated with the standard 505 test, with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.87.
• Sprint 4 × 5 m Test — From enrollment to the end of intervention at 20 weeks（8 weeks for phase 1,4 weeks for wash out and 8 weeks for phase 2）
  The setup requires 5 cones placed 5m apart. The subject stands with feet apart, straddling a cone between their legs. Upon hearing an auditory signal, they run 5 meters to point A; then turn 90° to the right and run 5 meters to point B. After the second 90° turn, they run to point C, where they make a 180° turn and run to the finish line. Each athlete performs three attempts, with the fastest completion time (s) recorded using precise timing equipment. A two-minute rest period is provided between each trial. This test demonstrates good reliability with an ICC ranging from 0.88 to 0.91.
• Modified Agility T-Test (MAT) — From enrollment to the end of intervention at 20 weeks（8 weeks for phase 1,4 weeks for wash out and 8 weeks for phase 2）
  The Modified Agility T-Test (MAT), developed by Radhouane et al., is based on the traditional T-test and aims to assess an athlete's ability to quickly change direction, including forward sprinting, lateral shuffling, and backward movement. MAT adjusts the spatial layout of the original T-test, reducing the total running distance from 36.56 meters to 20 meters while maintaining the same types of movements and number of direction changes, adapting to space-constrained environments. Each athlete performs three attempts, with the fastest completion time (s) recorded using precise timing equipment. A two-minute rest period is provided between each trial. The test has high reliability with an ICC ranging from 0.82 to 0.96 and is highly correlated with the standard T-test, with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.92, effectively differentiating athletes' agility performance.

Trial sites (2)

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