Combined Land- and Water-Based Core and Lower Extremity Strength Training in Improving the Jump Performance Among Volleyball and Basketball Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Numerous studies focused on the effect of sole land- or water-based exercise training to improve either core and/or lower extremities alone, which could result in improved jump performance. With the continuously increasing popularity of volleyball and basketball, where players get better and better, competition in these fields is also heightened. Hence, identifying other methods to improve game performance, such as improving muscle strength and jump performance can be explored to contribute to the existing literature and could benefit the volleyball and basketball players themselves, trainers/coaches, universities competing in sports competitions locally, nationally, and even internationally, and to physical therapists who are venturing to sports physical therapy.

The study then seeks to investigate whether combined land- and water-based exercises targeting the core and lower extremity muscle strength can enhance the jump performance of basketball and volleyball players. With this, a three-arm, single-blinded randomized controlled trial is being conducted among basketball and volleyball players. Participants are grouped into combined land- and water-based exercise, land-based exercise, and water-based exercise.

To proceed with the implementation, the researchers acquired ethical clearance from the MMSU Ethics and Review Board. Recruitment of participants happened within a University at Ilocos Norte, Philippines. Acquisition of informed consent was done before other screening procedures to identify the eligibility of participants to participate in the study. Eligible participants were randomized accordingly to either the three (3) aforementioned groups.

The exercises implemented in each group are based on existing literature regarding their effect on either the core or lower extremity strength, and combined to create a new and applicable exercise program, These exercise programs were also verified applicable by two licensed physical therapists who are also well-versed in strength training protocols. The participants are being trained accordingly one hour/day, three days/week for two consecutive weeks.

As to the pre-and post-test measurements of the primary and secondary outcomes, assessment is done by two independent licensed physical therapists who are blinded to the participants and interventions. Moreover, the assessors are well-versed in the assessment of the different outcome measurements (Plank core strength test, 1RM, 10-meter Sprint Test, Margaria-Kalaman Power Test) and in using the MyJump Lab Mobile App, duly purchased by the researchers, used for the assessment of countermovement jump and squat jump.