A Randomized Crossover Study on Diverse Training Methods to Enhance University Athletes' Performance and Health
Evaluating the Effects of Diverse Training Methods on Athletic Performance and Health: A Randomized Crossover Study
University of Macau
120 participants
Oct 10, 2024
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
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
Inclusion Criteria5
- Team Membership: Participants must be officially registered members of the Macau universities' 's men's and women's basketball or volleyball teams.
- Age Range: Participants must be aged between 18 and 30 years.
- Health Status: Participants should be in good health, free from any chronic diseases, serious health conditions, or contraindications that could impair their athletic performance, preclude their safe participation in the study, or present undue risks when exposed to WB-EMS. Participants must provide informed consent and be willing to undergo WB-EMS training after being fully apprised of the potential risks and benefits.
- Commitment: Participants must be able to engage fully in the intervention period and all associated assessments.
- Experience: Participants are required to have a minimum of three to four years of competitive basketball or volleyball experience.
Exclusion Criteria5
- Unable to provide informed consent.
- Unwillingness to be allocated to one of the four groups.
- Have suffered a lower extremity injury or required surgery within the past 6 months.
- Have undergone electrical stimulation training for the previous six months.
- Have been diagnosed with a cardiovascular or neurological disease or abnormality.
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Interventions
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 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 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.
Locations(2)
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NCT06546605