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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07664475

Effects of Drop Jump During Warm-up on Athletic Performance and Ankle Stability in Young Basketball Players

Youth basketball is a sport that requires high levels of power and speed. Regardless of the competitive level, young athletes undergo rigorous training to enhance their coordination, neuromuscular reactivity, jump height, and sprint speed. Each youth basketball player voluntarily underwent testing at the same sports facility after reading and signing the informed consent document (provided by parents or legal guardians). During the first session, general anthropometric information was collected on all participants (age, weight, and height), followed by an assessment of athletic performance and stability parameters. For the vertical jump performance parameters, the Counter Movement Jump test (CMJ) was used through an optical detecting system. A pressure platform was used to measure ankle stability during the landing phase using a single-leg jump protocol, while acceleration performance was evaluated via a 10-meter sprint test. Subsequently, participants were randomly divided into two groups: an experimental group (EG) and a control group (CG). The EG performed a Drop Jump protocol at the end of warm-up, consisting of three sets of 5 repetitions, with a 3-minute rest period between sets, for a total duration of 8 weeks. At the end of the eight weeks, all measurements regarding the evaluated outcomes (vertical jump height, CMJ, landing ankle stability, and 10-meter sprint) were repeated for both groups.

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Key information

Conditions

Athletes Performance

Age range

13 year–14 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Palermo

Palermo, 90144, Italy

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Active participation in competitive training programs (at least 7 hours per week), at least one year of experience in competitions organized by the Italian Basketball Federation, and no recent injuries.

Exclusion criteria

  • Presence of current or not fully recovered injuries to the ankle or foot, and irregular participation in training sessions within the three weeks preceding the study.

Treatment and study plan

Drop Jump

Other

Three sets, each consisting of 5 repetitions with 3-minute breaks between sets, to be performed twice a week. During each DJ trial, the participants were asked to perform a maximum vertical jump with their hands at their sides as soon as possible after touching the ground. They were also given 15 seconds to climb back onto the drop and perform another trial.

Primary outcomes

  1. Counter Movement Jump (CMJ)

    Time frame: At the beginning of enrollment ( Baseline, T0) and the end of the 8-week treatment (T1)

    Initially, the athlete stands upright on a flat surface or force platform, feet shoulder-width apart, hands on hips (to eliminate arm swing). Without a pause, the athlete performs a quick downward movement (countermovement) by bending the knees and hips, then immediately jumps vertically as high as possible. The athlete lands in an upright position on the same spot, trying to absorb the impact with knees slightly bent. Jump height and flight time is recorded using an optical system, Optojump™ system(Microgate, Bolzano, Italy) connected to a personal computer with dedicated software(OptojumpTM Next software). The system consists of two optical bars, a receiver and a transmitter, positioned 1m apart. The bars identify ground contact time(with a precision of 1ms) and then convert non-contact time into cm. Based on recommendations on optimal jump height (20 to 60cm).

  2. Ankle Landing Stability

    Time frame: At the beginning of enrollment ( Baseline, T0) and the end of the 8-week treatment (T1)

    Ankle stability was assessed using a functional monopodalic protocol, which involved four jumps on one foot: two per leg, both frontally and laterally. These jumps were performed by stepping over an adjustable obstacle set at 70% of the maximum height reached on a pressure platform (SensorMedica freeMed 40×40, Guidonia Montecelio, Italy). The platform has an active sensory surface of 40×40 cm with a thickness of only 8 mm and a low weight of approximately 4 kg. Inside, there are resistive sensors coated in 24K gold on conductive rubber, with a density of approximately 10,000 sensors/m².The acquisition frequency is high, up to 400 Hz, allowing for detailed dynamic analysis, and the sensors have a life cycle of over 1,000,000 cycles of use

  3. Sprint Performance

    Time frame: At the beginning of enrollment ( Baseline, T0) and the end of the 8-week treatment (T1)

    Two cones were placed 10 meters apart. The participants were then asked to perform 3 sprints, with 3-minute recovery periods in between. A manual stopwatch was used, which was started exactly when the operator gave the start signal and stopped exactly as the subject passed the second cone.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Palermo

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Drop Jump During Warm-up on Jumping Ability, Sprint Performance and Ankle Landing Stability: A Randomized Controlled Study

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jun 24, 2026
Registry last updated
Jun 24, 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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