Lower Body Plyometric Training Effects on Upper Body in Basketball Players (LBPT-VST)

Birjand University of Medical Sciences

Status: Completed

Conditions: Basketball Performance

Treatments: Behavioral: Plyometric Training

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07339436

IR.BIRJAND.REC.1403.016 (Other Identifier)

Birjand-Plyometric-1403

Details and patient eligibility

About

The present study investigates effect of lower body plyometric training on upper body performance, muscle size, hormonal factors, and neuromuscular activity in male basketball players, with a focus on vertical strength transfer (VST). In this semi-experimental study, 50 male basketball players (aged 16-18 years, with at least 2 years of experience) were randomly divided into three groups: combined lower-upper body plyometric training (LUBPT), upper body training (UBPT), and control (CON). The 8-week training program, 3 sessions per week, included hurdle jumps, depth jumps, and dynamic push-ups. Assessments included serum levels of growth hormone and testosterone, muscle thickness (elastography), muscle electrical activity (EMG), and sports performance (overhead medicine ball throw, Sargent jump, long jump) in pre- and post-tests.

Full description

This semi-experimental study was conducted to investigate the effects of an 8-week lower body plyometric training program on neuromuscular adaptations, hormonal factors, functional performance, and upper body muscle thickness in male basketball players, with a focus on vertical strength transfer (VST).

Fifty male basketball players aged 16-18 years with at least 2 years of competitive experience were recruited and randomly allocated into three groups: Combined Lower-Upper Body Plyometric Training (LUBPT, n=17), Upper Body Plyometric Training only (UBPT, n=18), and Control (CON, n=15). The control group continued regular basketball training without additional plyometric exercises.

The intervention lasted 8 weeks with 3 sessions per week. The plyometric program consisted of lower body exercises (hurdle jumps at 40-60 cm height and depth jumps from a 40 cm box) and upper body exercises (dynamic push-ups). Training volume and intensity progressed gradually over the 8 weeks (sessions 1-8: 2-3 sets of 8-10 repetitions; sessions 9-16: 3-4 sets of 10-12 repetitions; sessions 17-24: 4 sets of 12-15 repetitions), with 60-90 seconds rest between sets and 3 minutes between exercises.

Pre- and post-intervention assessments included:

• Serum levels of growth hormone and testosterone (blood samples taken in fasting state).
• Upper body muscle thickness (biceps brachii and pectoralis major) measured using ultrasound elastography.
• Neuromuscular activity (root mean square, RMS) of anterior brachii, pectoralis major, quadriceps femoris, rectus abdominis, and triceps brachii muscles using surface electromyography (EMG) during standardized movements.
• Functional performance tests: overhead medicine ball throw, Sargent vertical jump (height and power), and standing long jump.

All measurements were performed 48-72 hours before the start of training and 48-72 hours after the final training session. Statistical analysis was conducted using ANOVA with significance set at p < 0.05.

Enrollment: 50 patients

Sex: Male

Ages: 16 to 18 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Male basketball players with at least 2 years experience

Exclusion criteria

• injury

Trial design

Primary purpose: Other

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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50 participants in 3 patient groups

Combined Lower-Upper Body Plyometric Training (LUBPT) - n=17

Experimental group

Description:

Combined Lower-Upper Body Plyometric Training (LUBPT) group received an 8-week plyometric program targeting both lower and upper body, 3 sessions per week (total 24 sessions). Lower body exercises included hurdle jumps (40-60 cm height) and depth jumps (from 40 cm box). Upper body exercises consisted of dynamic push-ups. Progression: Weeks 1-2 (sessions 1-6): 2 sets of 8 reps per exercise; Weeks 3-4 (sessions 7-12): 3 sets of 10 reps; Weeks 5-6 (sessions 13-18): 3 sets of 12 reps; Weeks 7-8 (sessions 19-24): 4 sets of 15 reps. Rest intervals: 60-90 seconds between sets, 3 minutes between exercises. Training was performed in addition to regular basketball practice. Pre- and post-tests assessed neuromuscular adaptations (EMG: pectoralis major, rectus abdominis, triceps brachii), hormonal factors (growth hormone, testosterone), muscle thickness (biceps brachii, pectoralis major via ultrasound elastography), and functional performance (overhead medicine ball throw, Sargent jump height/pow

Treatment:

Behavioral: Plyometric Training

Upper Body Plyometric Training (UBPT, n=18)

Experimental group

Description:

Upper Body Plyometric Training (UBPT) group received an 8-week plyometric program targeting only upper body, 3 sessions per week (total 24 sessions). Primary exercise: dynamic push-ups. Progression: Weeks 1-2 (sessions 1-6): 2 sets of 8 reps; Weeks 3-4 (sessions 7-12): 3 sets of 10 reps; Weeks 5-6 (sessions 13-18): 3 sets of 12 reps; Weeks 7-8 (sessions 19-24): 4 sets of 15 reps. Rest intervals: 60-90 seconds between sets. Lower body training was not included; participants continued regular basketball practice. Assessments pre- and post-intervention: serum growth hormone and testosterone levels; muscle thickness of biceps brachii and pectoralis major (ultrasound elastography); EMG activity (RMS) of anterior brachii, pectoralis major, quadriceps femoris, rectus abdominis, triceps brachii; functional tests including overhead medicine ball throw distance, Sargent jump (height and power), and standing long jump.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Plyometric Training

Control (CON, n=15)

No Intervention group

Description:

Control (CON) group did not receive any plyometric training intervention. Participants continued their regular basketball training routine (technical/tactical drills, scrimmages) for 8 weeks, 3-5 sessions per week, without additional structured plyometric exercises for lower or upper body. No changes to standard practice schedule. This group served as the non-intervention comparator to assess the specific effects of plyometric training. Pre- and post-assessments (48-72 hours before start and after week 8) included: hormonal measurements (serum growth hormone and testosterone via ELISA); muscle thickness (right/left biceps brachii and pectoralis major using ultrasound elastography); neuromuscular electrical activity (surface EMG RMS during standardized tasks for anterior brachii, pectoralis major, quadriceps femoris, rectus abdominis, triceps brachii); physical performance tests (overhead medicine ball throw distance in meters, Sargent vertical jump height and power in kg m/s, standing