Lower-Limb Explosive Performance
Conditions
Brief summary
This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of 12 weeks of French Contrast Training (FCT) compared with traditional resistance training (RT) on lower-limb explosive performance in male collegiate basketball players. Forty participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the FCT group or the RT group. Both groups trained twice per week for 12 weeks, with at least 48 hours between sessions. Lower-limb performance was assessed before and after the intervention using countermovement jump height, drop jump height, ground contact time, reactive strength index, 10-m sprint time, and isometric mid-thigh pull peak force. The study aimed to determine whether FCT produces greater improvements in jumping performance, reactive strength, short-distance acceleration, and maximal force than traditional resistance training.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALFrench Contrast Training
Participants performed French Contrast Training (FCT) twice per week for 12 weeks, with at least 48 hours between sessions. Each FCT sequence consisted of four exercises performed in the following order: back squat at 85% of 1RM, 30-cm hurdle jumps, squat jumps at 25% of 1RM, and band-assisted jumps. A 20-second recovery period was provided between consecutive exercises. Participants completed 4 sets of 8 repetitions for each exercise, with 3 minutes of rest between sets. Training loads were prescribed according to baseline 1RM values and remained unchanged throughout the 12-week intervention. All training sessions were supervised by certified strength and conditioning coaches.
BEHAVIORALResistance Training
Participants performed a 12-week traditional resistance training program, with two sessions per week and at least 48 hours between sessions. The program consisted of back squat at 85% of 1RM, Romanian deadlift at 85% of 1RM, leg press at 85% of 1RM, and walking lunge at 30% of 1RM. Participants completed 4 sets of 8 repetitions for each exercise, with 3 minutes of rest between sets. Training loads were prescribed according to baseline 1RM values and remained unchanged throughout the 12-week intervention. All training sessions were supervised by certified strength and conditioning coaches.
Sponsors
Ziren Zhao
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
18 Years to 24 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
1. Male collegiate basketball players aged 18-24 years. 2. At least 7 years of systematic basketball training experience. 3. At least 2 years of resistance training experience. 4. Competitive classification of Chinese National Second-Class Athlete or higher in basketball. 5. Regular participation in basketball-specific technical training three times per week under the same training program. 6. Physically healthy and able to participate in resistance and jumping training. 7. Willing to participate in the study and provide written informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
1. Lower-limb injury within the 3 months prior to enrollment. 2. Severe musculoskeletal or joint disorders that could interfere with resistance or jumping exercise. 3. Cardiovascular disease or other medical conditions that could prevent safe participation in high-intensity resistance or plyometric exercise. 4. Previous experience with structured French Contrast Training. 5. Unable to safely complete the prescribed training or performance testing procedures.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Countermovement Jump Height | Baseline and immediately after the 12-week intervention | Countermovement jump (CMJ) height was assessed using a force platform system (Kistler, Winterthur, Switzerland; sampling frequency: 1000 Hz). Participants performed three maximal countermovement jumps with their hands placed on the iliac crests to minimize arm-swing contribution. A 1-minute rest interval was provided between attempts. The highest jump height, expressed in centimeters (cm), was used for analysis. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 10-Meter Sprint Time | Baseline and immediately after the 12-week intervention | Sprint performance was assessed using electronic timing gates (Brower Timing Systems, Draper, UT, USA). Participants started from a split-stance position 0.5 m behind the first timing gate and sprinted maximally through 15 m. Three maximal trials were completed with 2-3 minutes of rest between trials. The fastest 10-m sprint time, expressed in seconds (s), was used for analysis. |
| Ground Contact Time | Baseline and immediately after the 12-week intervention | Ground contact time (GCT) was obtained during the drop jump test using a force platform system (Kistler, Winterthur, Switzerland; sampling frequency: 1000 Hz). The trial with the highest reactive strength index was selected, and GCT from the same trial was recorded in milliseconds (ms). |
| Reactive Strength Index | Baseline and immediately after the 12-week intervention | Reactive strength index (RSI) was assessed during the 30-cm drop jump test using force-platform data. Participants completed three maximal attempts, and the trial producing the highest RSI was used for analysis. RSI was calculated from drop jump performance and ground contact time. |
| Drop Jump Height | Baseline and immediately after the 12-week intervention | Drop jump (DJ) height was assessed using a force platform system (Kistler, Winterthur, Switzerland; sampling frequency: 1000 Hz). Participants stepped from a 30-cm box onto the force platform and immediately performed a maximal vertical jump while attempting to minimize ground contact time. Three maximal attempts were performed with 1-minute rest intervals. The trial with the highest reactive strength index was selected, and DJ height from the same trial was recorded in centimeters (cm). |
| Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull Peak Force | Baseline and immediately after the 12-week intervention | Isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) peak force was assessed using a force platform system (Kistler, Winterthur, Switzerland; sampling frequency: 1000 Hz). Knee and hip angles were standardized at approximately 130° and 145°, respectively. Participants pulled maximally against a fixed bar for 3-5 seconds. Three maximal attempts were completed with 2-minute rest intervals, and the highest absolute peak force value, expressed in Newtons (N), was used for analysis. |
Countries
China
Outcome results
None listed