Effects of Explosive Plyometric Training Versus Thera-Band Power Training on Sprint Swimming Performance

August 25, 2026 updated by: Riphah International University

Effects of Explosive Plyometric Training Versus Thera-Band Based Power Training of the Upper Limb on Sprint Swimming Performance

This randomized controlled trial will compare the effects of upper-limb explosive plyometric training and TheraBand-based power training on sprint swimming performance in competitive swimmers. Participants will be randomly allocated to either an explosive plyometric training group or a TheraBand-based power training group. Both groups will continue their routine aquatic training while completing their assigned dry-land training program for eight weeks. Outcomes including 50-meter freestyle performance, Medicine Ball Throw Test performance, and 15-meter sprint time will be assessed at baseline and after completion of the intervention. The study aims to determine which upper-limb training approach is more effective for improving sprint swimming performance.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

The study aims to compare the effects of upper-limb explosive plyometric training and TheraBand-based power training on sprint swimming performance in competitive swimmers. The objectives are to compare the effects of both training approaches on 50-meter freestyle swimming performance, upper-limb power measured by the Medicine Ball Throw Test, and 15-meter sprint tim

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
60

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Child
  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria

  • Male competitive swimmers.
  • At least 2 years of swimming training experience.
  • Training at least 3 sessions per week.
  • Willing to participate in the study and provide informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria

  • Musculoskeletal injury within the past 3 months.
  • Neurological disorders.
  • Cardiovascular disorders.
  • Current participation in structured resistance or plyometric training programs outside the study.
  • Contraindications to exercise or swimming.
  • Non-compliance with training sessions.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Closed-Chain Explosive Plyometric Training
Participants will perform a structured upper-limb explosive plyometric training program three times per week for eight weeks in addition to their routine aquatic training. The program will include explosive push-ups, medicine ball chest passes, overhead medicine ball throws, plyometric push-ups, and other upper-limb power drills using progressive overload.
Other: Closed-Chain Explosive Plyometric Training
Participants will perform a structured upper-limb explosive plyometric training program three times per week for eight weeks in addition to their routine aquatic training. The program will include explosive push-ups, medicine ball chest passes, overhead medicine ball throws, plyometric push-ups, and other upper-limb power drills using progressive overload.
Active Comparator: Open-Chain TheraBand-Based Power Training
Participants will perform a structured upper-limb power training program using progressive TheraBand resistance three times per week for eight weeks in addition to their routine aquatic training. Exercises will target the shoulder girdle, upper arm, and scapular stabilizers through controlled movements related to freestyle swimming. Resistance will be progressively increased according to participants' performance and tolerance.
Other: Open-Chain TheraBand-Based Power Training
Participants will perform a structured upper-limb power training program using progressive TheraBand resistance three times per week for eight weeks in addition to their routine aquatic training. Exercises will target the shoulder girdle, upper arm, and scapular stabilizers through controlled movements related to freestyle swimming. Resistance will be progressively increased according to participants' performance and tolerance.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
50-Meter Freestyle Time
Time Frame: Baseline and Week 8
Time in seconds required to complete the 50-meter freestyle time trial, measured at baseline and after completion of the 8-week intervention. Lower time indicates better sprint swimming performance.
Baseline and Week 8
15-Meter Sprint Time
Time Frame: Baseline and Week 8
Time in seconds required to complete the 15-meter sprint, measured at baseline and after completion of the 8-week intervention. Lower time indicates better sprint start performance.
Baseline and Week 8
Medicine Ball Throw Distance
Time Frame: Baseline and Week 8
Distance achieved in the Medicine Ball Throw Test, measured at baseline and after completion of the 8-week intervention. Greater distance indicates greater upper-limb power.
Baseline and Week 8

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Riphah International University

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Zobia Naseem, MS-SPT, Riphah International University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
September 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
November 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
November 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
August 25, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
August 25, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
August 28, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
August 28, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
August 25, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
August 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • Alina Imran

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

Cookie Settings

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. For more details carefully read our Privacy and Cookies Policy. ...>>>You can change your preferences or withdraw your consent at any time by deleting the cookies from your website or computer as described in the policy. Please accept it and choose your preferences by ticking the corresponding boxes in the "Manage Settings" section below. Please carefully read our Terms of Service before you proceed with using any part of this website.
«Manage Settings