Horizontal Plyometric Training and Sprint Mechanics in Early-Adolescent Track-and-Field Athletes (HPT-Sprint You)

Effects of Twelve Sessions of Horizontally Oriented Plyometric Training on Sprint-Related Temporal-Kinematic Outcomes in Early-Adolescent Track-and-Field Athletes: A Field-Based Exploratory Pre-Post Study

This field-based exploratory pre-post study examined the effects of a six-week horizontally oriented plyometric training program on sprint performance and sprint-related temporal-kinematic outcomes in early-adolescent male track-and-field athletes. Participants completed 12 supervised plyometric training sessions integrated into their regular athletics practice. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and after the intervention using field-based sprint testing, video-derived temporal-kinematic analysis, and horizontal jump performance measures.

The study was conducted in a low-resource community sport setting in Antioquia, Colombia. The intervention was designed according to the participants' age, training background, and usual sport practice demands, with progressive exercise exposure, supervision, adequate recovery, and safety monitoring throughout the training period.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Athletic Performance; Sprint Performance; Youths
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Horizontally Oriented Plyometric Training

Detailed Description

Horizontally oriented plyometric training may be relevant for sprint development because sprint acceleration and the transition toward maximal sprinting velocity require rapid force production and effective forward orientation of propulsive actions. However, evidence in early-adolescent track-and-field athletes remains limited, particularly in community-based sport contexts where coaches rely on accessible field tests and video-based kinematic procedures.

This exploratory single-arm intervention study evaluated pre-post changes after 12 sessions of horizontally oriented plyometric training in male early-adolescent track-and-field athletes aged 12-13 years. The training program was delivered over approximately six weeks and was integrated into the athletes' regular training routine. The intervention emphasized horizontally directed plyometric actions and was implemented with progressive exposure, technical supervision, adequate rest periods, and suspension criteria in case of pain, excessive fatigue, musculoskeletal discomfort, or any safety concern.

Sprint performance and sprint-related temporal-kinematic variables were assessed before and after the intervention. Field-based assessments included sprint time and video-derived sprint variables, complemented by horizontal jump performance. Because the study was conducted with minors and a small sport-specific sample, all data will be reported in aggregate form, and no individual participant data will be publicly shared.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 9
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Colombia
  • Antioquia
    • Guarne, Antioquia, Colombia, 054080
      • Tecnológico de Antioquia

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male early-adolescent track-and-field athletes aged 12-13 years.
• Active participation in a municipal or community-based athletics training program in Antioquia, Colombia.
• Minimum recent experience in athletics training according to the records of the local training program.
• Ability to complete sprint testing, jump testing, and the planned plyometric training sessions.
• Written informed consent provided by a parent or legal guardian.
• Written or documented assent provided by the minor participant.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Current musculoskeletal injury, pain, or medical restriction that prevents sprinting, jumping, or participation in plyometric training.
• Any cardiovascular, neurological, orthopedic, or other health condition contraindicating high-intensity physical exercise.
• Failure to complete baseline or post-intervention assessments.
• Absence from a substantial portion of the intervention sessions, according to the predefined adherence criteria.
• Participation in another structured training or research intervention that could substantially affect the outcomes during the study period.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Other
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Intervention / Treatment

Experimental: Horizontal Plyometric Training; Participants completed a six-week horizontally oriented plyometric training program consisting of 12 supervised sessions integrated into their regular athletics training. The program emphasized horizontally directed jumping and bounding actions relevant to sprint acceleration and forward propulsion. Training exposure was adjusted according to participants' age, experience, and tolerance, with progressive loading, technical supervision, adequate rest intervals, and safety monitoring.

Other: Horizontally Oriented Plyometric Training; The intervention consisted of 12 supervised sessions of horizontally oriented plyometric exercises delivered over approximately six weeks. Exercises emphasized forward-directed explosive actions and horizontal force application through age-appropriate plyometric tasks. Sessions were conducted under supervision and incorporated warm-up, technical instruction, controlled progression of volume and intensity, rest periods, and monitoring for pain, excessive fatigue, or musculoskeletal discomfort.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in 60-m Sprint Time	Total time to complete a 60-m sprint, measured in seconds under field-based conditions. Lower values indicate better sprint performance.	Baseline and within 48-72 hours after the final intervention session.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Sprint Split Times	Sprint segment times derived from field-based sprint testing. Segment times will be used to describe changes in sprint acceleration and sprint performance distribution across the sprint distance. Lower values indicate better segment performance.	Baseline and within 48-72 hours after the final intervention session.
Change in Video-Derived Sprint Temporal-Kinematic Variables	Sprint-related temporal-kinematic variables derived from video analysis during sprint testing. These variables may include step-related temporal and spatial indicators according to the available video-based analysis protocol.	Baseline and within 48-72 hours after the final intervention session.
Change in Horizontal Jump Performance	Horizontal jump performance assessed using a field-based jump test. Greater jump distance indicates better horizontal explosive performance.	Baseline and within 48-72 hours after the final intervention session.
Adverse Events During Training	Any pain, musculoskeletal discomfort, excessive fatigue, or event requiring interruption, modification, or suspension of the training session will be recorded throughout the intervention.	From the first intervention session to the final intervention session, approximately six weeks.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Federal University of Vicosa

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• McKay AKA, Stellingwerff T, Smith ES, Martin DT, Mujika I, Goosey-Tolfrey VL, Sheppard J, Burke LM. Defining training and performance caliber: A participant classification framework. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance. 2022;17(2):317-331.
• Rumpf MC, Lockie RG, Cronin JB, Jalilvand F. Effect of different sprint training methods on sprint performance over various distances: A brief review. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 2016;30(6):1767-1785.
• Ramírez-Campillo R, Meylan C, Álvarez C, Henríquez-Olguín C, Martínez C, Cañas-Jamett R, Andrade DC, Izquierdo M. Effects of in-season low-volume high-intensity plyometric training on explosive actions and endurance of young soccer players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 2014;28(5):1335-1342.
• Moran J, Sandercock GRH, Ramírez-Campillo R, Wooller JJ, Logothetis S, Schoenmakers PPJM, Parry DA. Maturation-related adaptations in running speed in response to sprint training in youth soccer players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 2017;31(2):347-352.
• Lloyd RS, Oliver JL. The youth physical development model: A new approach to long-term athletic development. Strength and Conditioning Journal. 2012;34(3):61-72.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): July 1, 2022
• Primary Completion (Actual): July 1, 2022
• Study Completion (Actual): August 30, 2022

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 30, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 30, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): May 6, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 6, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 30, 2026
• Last Verified: April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Plyometric training; Sprint performance; Horizontal plyometrics; Sprint mechanics; Temporal-kinematic analysis
• Other Study ID Numbers: TdeA-HPT-Sprint-Youth-2026

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: Individual participant data will not be shared because the study involved minors and a small sport-specific sample, which may increase the risk of indirect identification. Results will be reported only in aggregate form. De-identified summary data may be made available upon reasonable request when compatible with the ethics approval, participant consent, and institutional data protection requirements.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No