Athletic Performance, Neuromuscular Training
Conditions
Keywords
Sprint training, Plyometric training, Agility, Power
Brief summary
Comparison of Combined Sprint-Plyometric Training Versus Traditional Strength Training on Speed, Agility, Power, and Movement Quality in Intermediate Rugby Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Detailed description
This randomized controlled trial compares combined sprint-plyometric training (Group A) versus traditional strength training (Group B) in 64 intermediate-level rugby players (aged 18-25 years). Both interventions are delivered over 8 weeks at 2 sessions per week. Primary and secondary outcomes include speed (40 m and 80 m sprint via electronic timing gates), agility (T-Test), lower-body explosive power (Standing Long Jump), and movement quality (Functional Movement Screen), assessed at baseline and post-intervention. Randomization is performed via computer-generated sequence.
Interventions
OTHERCombined Sprint-Plyometric Training
Participants perform progressive sprint (10-100 m) and plyometric exercises (squat jumps, box jumps, single-leg hops, depth jumps) over 8 weeks. Frequency: 2 sessions/week, 45-60 min/session. Rest between sets: 3 minutes. Rest between sessions: 48-72 hours. Volume and distance progress across 4 two-week blocks
OTHERTraditional Strength Training Group
Participants perform lower-body resistance exercises (barbell squat, leg press, lunges, Romanian deadlift, leg curl, leg extension) at 60-80% 1RM over 8 weeks. Frequency: 2 sessions/week, 45-60 min/session. Rest between sets: 1.5-3 minutes. Load progressively increased across 4 two-week blocks.
Sponsors
Ibadat International University, Islamabad
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
The outcome assessor is blinded to group allocation. Participants and the treating physiotherapist/coach are not blinded due to the nature of the intervention.
Intervention model description
Parallel Assignment
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 25 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
1. Male and female athletes aged 18-25 years 2. A minimum of 2 years of structured rugby training experience 3. Actively training at least 3 hours per week 4. Medically cleared to engage in high-intensity physical activity 5. Willingness to participate and provide written informed consent
Exclusion criteria
1. History of moderate or severe musculoskeletal injuries or surgery within the past 6-12 months 2. Not medically approved to engage in high-intensity physical activities 3. Cardiovascular or cardiopulmonary disease or risk factors that contraindicate high-intensity training 4. Participation in any additional structured strength or plyometric program outside the study protocol during the intervention period
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Sprint Speed - Electronic Timing Gates (40 m and 80 m) | Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 8) | Sprint time measured in seconds over 40 m and 80 m distances using electronic timing gates. Very high criterion validity (r ≈ 0.95-0.99) and excellent test-retest reliability (ICC ≈ 0.90-0.99) |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Agility - T-Test | Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 8) | Time (seconds) to complete the standard agility T-Test course assessing change-of-direction speed. High construct and criterion validity (r ≈ 0.80-0.96); high test-retest reliability (ICC ≈ 0.88-0.98) |
| Lower-Body Explosive Power - Standing Long Jump Test | Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 8) | Distance (cm) achieved in the standing long jump as a measure of lower-body explosive power. Strong concurrent validity with force-plate measures (r ≈ 0.76-0.91); excellent reliability (ICC ≈ 0.97-0.99) |
| Movement Quality - Functional Movement Screen (FMS) | Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 8) | Composite FMS score (0-21) assessing fundamental movement quality across 7 movement patterns. Moderate to good construct validity (r ≈ 0.60-0.85); moderate to excellent inter- and intra-rater reliability (ICC ≈ 0.74-0.98) |
Countries
Pakistan
Contacts
CONTACTMunazza Ahmed, MS Sports Physical Therapy
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORHafsah Gul Khattak, DPT, MS-NMPT
IBADAT INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY, ISLAMABAD (IIUI)
Outcome results
None listed