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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07489404

Plyometric Training on Sand vs Firm Ground in Young Adults

Summary

The purpose of this interventional study is to determine whether the type of training surface used during plyometric training influences neuromuscular performance, dynamic postural balance, and muscle soreness in young active males. The main questions this study aims to answer are:

* Does plyometric training performed on sand improve dynamic postural balance more than training performed on a firm surface? * Does plyometric training performed on sand reduce lower-limb muscle soreness compared with training performed on a firm surface?

Researchers will compare a firm-ground plyometric training group, a sand-surface plyometric training group, and a control group to evaluate the effects of training surfaces on physical performance and recovery.

Participants will:

* Perform plyometric training sessions three times per week for eight weeks (experimental groups). * Complete performance tests, including vertical jumps, sprint tests, change-of-direction speed tests, and the Y-Balance Test, before and after the intervention. * Report perceived lower-limb muscle soreness following training sessions.

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Key information

Conditions

Lower Limb Injuries

Age range

19 year–20 year

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Ksar Said, University of Manouba

Manouba, 2010, Tunisia

About this study

Detailed Description

This prospective randomised controlled study investigates the effects of plyometric training performed on two different training surfaces (firm ground vs sand) on neuromuscular performance, dynamic postural balance, and lower-limb muscle soreness in young active males. Participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups: a firm-ground plyometric training group, a sand-based plyometric training group, or a control group that continues regular activities without additional training.

The intervention lasts eight weeks, with three supervised training sessions per week for the experimental groups. The plyometric training program includes multidirectional exercises, such as forward bounding jumps, lateral hurdle jumps, and forward hurdle jumps, with progressive increases in training volume throughout the intervention.

Neuromuscular performance is evaluated using the standing long jump, squat jump, countermovement jump, sprint tests (10 m and 20 m), and a change-of-direction speed test (T-test). Dynamic postural balance is assessed using the Y-Balance Test for both dominant and non-dominant stance legs. Lower-limb muscle soreness is recorded after each training session using a 7-point Likert scale.

Pre- and post-intervention assessments are conducted to determine the effects of training surfaces on performance outcomes, balance adaptations, and perceived muscle soreness.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Male university students aged between 19 and 20 years
  • Physically active and regularly participating in practical sport science activities
  • Free from lower-limb injuries during the previous six months
  • Provided written informed consent to participate in the study

Exclusion criteria

  • Presence of any musculoskeletal injury affecting the lower limbs or lower back
  • Any neurological or balance disorder that could affect test performance
  • Participation in another structured strength or plyometric training program during the study period
  • Failure to complete the training intervention or testing sessions

Treatment and study plan

Plyometric Training on Sand

Behavioral

Participants performed a multidirectional plyometric training program on dry sand three times a week for eight weeks. The training sessions included forward bounding jumps, lateral hurdle jumps, and forward hurdle jumps with progressive increases in training volume throughout the intervention period.

Other names: Sand-Based Plyometric Training

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Squat Jump (SJ) height (cm)

    Time frame: Baseline and after the 8-week training intervention

    Squat Jump height is measured in centimeters using the Optojump infrared optical measurement system. The mean of three trials will be used for analysis.

  2. Change in Countermovement Jump (CMJ) height (cm)

    Time frame: Time Frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks

    The countermovement jump height was measured in centimetres using the Optojump infrared optical measurement system. The mean of three trials will be used for analysis.

  3. Change in Standing Long Jump distance (cm)

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks

    Standing long jump performance is measured as horizontal jump distance in centimetres. The best of three trials will be used for analysis.

  4. Change in 10-meter sprint time (s)

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks

    Sprint performance was measured as the time in seconds to complete the 10-meter split using photoelectric timing gates. The best of three trials will be used for analysis.

  5. Change in 20-meter sprint time (s)

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks

    Sprint performance was measured as the time in seconds to complete the 20-metre sprint using photoelectric timing gates. The best of three trials will be used for analysis.

  6. Change in T-test time (s)

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks

    Change-of-direction speed is measured as the time in seconds it takes to complete the T-test using electronic timing gates. The best of three trials will be used for analysis.

  7. Change in Y-Balance Test anterior reach distance on the dominant leg (cm)

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks

    Dynamic postural balance is assessed as a maximal anterior reach distance on the dominant leg, measured in centimeters. The best of three trials will be used for analysis.

  8. Change in Y-Balance Test posteromedial reach distance on the dominant leg (cm)

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks

    Dynamic postural balance is assessed as a maximal posteromedial reach distance on the dominant leg, measured in centimeters. The best of three trials will be used for analysis.

  9. Change in Y-Balance Test posterolateral reach distance on the dominant leg (cm)

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks

    Dynamic postural balance is assessed as a maximal posterolateral reach distance on the dominant leg, measured in centimeters. The best of three trials will be used for analysis.

  10. Change in Y-Balance Test anterior reach distance on the non-dominant leg (cm)

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks

    Dynamic postural balance assessed as maximal anterior reach distance on the non-dominant leg, measured in centimeters. The best of three trials will be used for analysis.

  11. Change in Y-Balance Test posterolateral reach distance on the non-dominant leg (cm)

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks

    Dynamic postural balance was assessed as maximal posterolateral reach distance on the non-dominant leg, measured in centimetres. The best of three trials will be used for analysis.

  12. Change in Y-Balance Test posteromedial reach distance on the non-dominant leg (cm)

    Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks

    Dynamic postural balance assessed as maximal posteromedial reach distance on the non-dominant leg, measured in centimeters. The best of three trials will be used for analysis.

  13. Mean lower-limb muscle soreness score (7-point Likert scale)

    Time frame: After each training session over 8 weeks

    Lower-limb muscle soreness was assessed using a 7-point Likert scale after each plyometric training session. The mean score across all training sessions will be used for analysis.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Manouba

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Influence of Training Surface (Firm Ground vs Sand) on Neuromuscular Performance, Dynamic Postural Balance, and Muscle Soreness Following Plyometric Training in Young Active Males

Acronym: PST-SF

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Mar 24, 2026
Registry last updated
Mar 27, 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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