Effect of Lower Body Plyometric Training on Neuromuscular Adaptations, Hormonal Factors, Functional Performance, and Upper Body Muscle Thickness in Basketball Players
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Enrollment
- 50
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Overhead medicine ball throw
Overview
Brief Summary
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.
Detailed 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.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Other
- Masking
- None
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 16 Years to 18 Years (Child, Adult)
- Sex
- Male
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
- •Male basketball players with at least 2 years experience
Exclusion Criteria
- Not provided
Arms & Interventions
Combined Lower-Upper Body Plyometric Training (LUBPT) - n=17
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
Intervention: Plyometric Training (Behavioral)
Upper Body Plyometric Training (UBPT, n=18)
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.
Intervention: Plyometric Training (Behavioral)
Control (CON, n=15)
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
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Overhead medicine ball throw
Time Frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks
Participants stood with feet shoulder-width apart, holding a 2 kg medicine ball at the abdomen with both hands, then brought the ball behind the head with slight knee bend, and performed an explosive and strong throw forward with full force. The distance was measured with a tape measure and considered as overhead medicine ball throw performance \[22\]. In the above test, electrical activity of pectoralis major, rectus abdominis, quadriceps femoris, Anterior Brachii, and triceps brachii muscles was recorded.
Overhead medicine ball throw
Time Frame: pre and post intervention
Participants stood with feet shoulder-width apart, holding a 2 kg medicine ball at the abdomen with both hands, then brought the ball behind the head with slight knee bend, and performed an explosive and strong throw forward with full force. The distance was measured with a tape measure and considered as overhead medicine ball throw performance \[22\]. In the above test, electrical activity of pectoralis major, rectus abdominis, quadriceps femoris, Anterior Brachii, and triceps brachii muscles was recorded.
Secondary Outcomes
- Growth hormone(Baseline and after 8 weeks)
Investigators
Mohsen mohammadnia ahmadi
Assistant Professor, Department of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Birjand
Birjand University of Medical Sciences