Drop-height plyometric training for soccer players
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 study will test whether low (30 cm), moderate (45 cm), or high (60 cm) drop-height plyometric training helps competitive soccer players aged 18–30 improve explosive strength, anaerobic power, and change-of-direction performance.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 56 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 30 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Riphah International University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Lahore, Punjab Province) |
| Trial ID | NCT07484425 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized controlled trial will enroll 56 competitive soccer players aged 18–30 who train at least three times per week. Participants will be randomly assigned by sealed envelopes to one of three supervised plyometric programs differing only in drop-jump height (30 cm, 45 cm, or 60 cm) and will train three times per week for six weeks. Outcomes measured at baseline and post-intervention include Vertical Jump Test, Running-Based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST), and the T-test for agility, with statistical comparisons performed in SPSS v25. The protocol excludes players with recent lower-limb injury, musculoskeletal or neurological disorders, contraindications to high-impact training, or recent structured plyometric training, and all sessions take place at the Punjab Sports Board in Lahore.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal participants are healthy male or female competitive soccer players aged 18–30 with at least one year of regular training and currently active more than three days per week.
Not a fit: Players with recent lower-limb injury, contraindications to high-impact exercise, or who have performed structured plyometric training in the past three months may not receive benefit from the interventions tested.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could identify the most effective drop height to safely improve jumping, sprinting, and agility in competitive soccer players.
How similar studies have performed: Previous plyometric programs have reliably improved jump height, sprint performance, and change-of-direction in youth and adolescent soccer players, but randomized head-to-head comparisons of different drop heights are limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 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) Exclusion Criteria: * 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
Where this trial is running
Lahore, Punjab Province
- Punjab Sports Board — Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Danish Hassan, PhD — Riphah International University
- Study coordinator: Danish Hassan, Phd
- Email: danish.hassan009@gmail.com
- Phone: +92 345 7946009
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.