Weighted vs Unweighted Plyometric Conditioning on Vertical Jump Performance in Young Male Soccer Players

Completed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Post-Activation Performance Enhancement (PAPE), Plyometric Exercise, Vertical Jump Performance, Soccer Players

In brief

Explosive lower-limb power is essential for soccer performance and contributes to jumping, sprinting, and rapid changes of direction. Plyometric exercises are commonly used during warm-up to improve neuromuscular readiness and may enhance subsequent athletic performance through post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE). However, it remains unclear whether adding external load during plyometric conditioning provides greater benefits than performing the same exercises without additional load. The purpose of this study is to compare the acute effects of weighted and unweighted plyometric conditioning on vertical jump performance in young male soccer players. Participants complete two experimental sessions separated by 48 hours. In one session, they perform a standardized single-leg plyometric protocol without external load, and in the other session they perform the same protocol while wearing a weighted vest equivalent to 10% of their body mass. Vertical jump height is assessed before exercise and at several time points after the conditioning activity to examine the time course of performance changes. The findings of this study are expected to improve understanding of the optimal use of weighted plyometric conditioning during warm-up and provide practical guidance for coaches and sports practitioners seeking to maximize explosive performance before training and competition.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07755345

Run by

Istanbul Gelisim University

People needed

24

Starts

2025-03-15

Expected to finish

2025-04-30

Last updated by the study team

2026-08-10

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 30. Sex: male. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Healthy male soccer players aged 18 to 30 years.
• Actively participating in organized soccer training.
• Minimum of 2 years of structured plyometric training experience.
• Competing at the regional development league level.
• Free from lower-limb musculoskeletal injury during the previous 4 months.
• Able to perform maximal jumping tasks.
• Provided written informed consent prior to participation.

You may not qualify if…

• History of lower-extremity surgery within the previous year.
• Current lower-limb pain or discomfort during jumping activities.
• Neurological, cardiovascular, or orthopedic disorders affecting neuromuscular performance.
• Use of performance-enhancing substances.
• Failure to comply with study procedures or testing instructions.

Where it is running

• Istanbul Gelisim University — Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

Trial information comes from ClinicalTrials.gov and is refreshed daily. TrialsForMe does not provide medical care and does not run the studies it lists.