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NCT Number: NCT07591675

Comparison of Combined Sprint-Plyometric Training Versus Traditional Strength Training on Speed, Agility, Power, and Movement Quality in Intermediate Rugby Players

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

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Key information

Conditions

Athletic Performance Neuromuscular Training

Age range

18 year–25 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Ibadat International University, Islamabad (Iiui)

Islamabad, 46000, Pakistan

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Hafsah Gul Khattak, DPT, MS-NMPT

CONTACT

[email protected]

923457170732

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Male and female athletes aged 18-25 years
  • A minimum of 2 years of structured rugby training experience
  • Actively training at least 3 hours per week
  • Medically cleared to engage in high-intensity physical activity
  • Willingness to participate and provide written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

  • History of moderate or severe musculoskeletal injuries or surgery within the past 6-12 months
  • Not medically approved to engage in high-intensity physical activities
  • Cardiovascular or cardiopulmonary disease or risk factors that contraindicate high-intensity training
  • Participation in any additional structured strength or plyometric program outside the study protocol during the intervention period

Treatment and study plan

Combined Sprint-Plyometric Training

Other

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

Traditional Strength Training Group

Other

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.

Primary outcomes

  1. Sprint Speed - Electronic Timing Gates (40 m and 80 m)

    Time frame: 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 outcomes

  1. Agility - T-Test

    Time frame: 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)

  2. Lower-Body Explosive Power - Standing Long Jump Test

    Time frame: 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)

  3. Movement Quality - Functional Movement Screen (FMS)

    Time frame: 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)

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Munazza Ahmed, MS Sports Physical Therapy

CONTACT

[email protected]

+923295048527

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Ibadat International University, Islamabad

Other

Registry information

Official study title

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

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
May 18, 2026
Registry last updated
May 18, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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