Core Stability Training Combined With Plyometric Exercises on Vertical Jump Performance:

Effect of Core Stability Training Added to Plyometric Exercises on Vertical Jump Performance in High Jump Athletes: A Non-Randomized Clinical Trial

This study protocol investigates whether adding core stability training to a plyometric training program enhances vertical jump performance in elite high jump athletes over a six-week period. It is hypothesized that combined core stability and plyometric training will result in greater improvements in vertical jump distance compared to plyometric training alone.

Elite high jump athletes are allocated into two groups based on their existing training squads: a combined intervention group (COMBO) receiving both core stability and plyometric training, and a plyometric-only group (PLYO). Both groups follow a structured six-week training program, with vertical jump distance measured before and after the intervention period to assess changes in performance.

From a clinical and applied sports science perspective, the findings of this protocol may help determine whether incorporating core stability exercises into existing plyometric programs provides additional benefit for improving explosive lower-limb performance, thereby informing evidence-based training prescription for high jump athletes.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Athletic Injuries/Prevention and Control
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Plyometric exercise alone; Other: Core stability exercises with plyometric training

Detailed Description

This study is a six-week, non-randomized, two-arm comparative intervention designed to evaluate the effects of combined core stability and plyometric training versus plyometric training alone on vertical jump performance in elite high jump athletes.

A total of eligible elite high jump athletes are allocated into two groups based on their existing training squads to minimize disruption to routine coaching structures. This non-randomized allocation reflects real-world training environments. The intervention group (COMBO) receives a combined program of core stability and plyometric training, while the comparison group (PLYO) performs plyometric training alone.

Plyometric Training Protocol (Both Groups - COMBO and PLYO)

The plyometric program is designed to enhance explosive power, speed, and agility using structured progressive exercises. Equipment includes variable-sized Swiss balls, 45 cm plyometric boxes for box jumps, a 30 cm depth jump box, sports cones for agility drills, and a synthetic long jump surface.

Each training session begins with a 5-10 minute active warm-up involving light jogging, dynamic stretching, and mobility exercises, and ends with a 10-minute cool-down phase. Participants continue their regular resistance training twice weekly on non-consecutive days targeting upper body, lower body, and trunk muscle groups.

Plyometric exercises are organized according to progression principles based on intensity, coordination, balance demands, limb involvement, and impact level. Training progresses from low-impact bilateral linear jumps to higher-intensity multidirectional and single-leg landing drills, with gradual increases in complexity to improve neuromuscular control and landing mechanics.

Core Stability Training Protocol (COMBO Group Only)

The core stability program follows a structured progression from basic stabilization to dynamic control based on established core training principles.

Week 1 includes supine pelvic tilts, lunge-position pelvic control exercises, and bilateral pelvic bridges. Week 2 progresses to unilateral pelvic bridges and quadruped bracing exercises without Swiss ball support. Weeks 3 and 4 focus on static core stability tasks, including contralateral single-leg holds and quadruped exercises using a Swiss ball. During Weeks 5 and 6, dynamic core exercises such as upper body roll-outs are introduced once adequate control is achieved.

Core stability exercises are performed for 12-15 minutes per session, with 8-10 repetitions per set and 2-3 sets per session, three times per week for six weeks.

Training Delivery and Supervision

Both interventions are demonstrated prior to commencement by two qualified physical therapists and two athletic coaches. Training is conducted at separate training sites according to group allocation. The structure of each program remains consistent throughout the intervention period.

Outcome Measurement

The primary outcome is vertical jump distance measured in centimeters using a standardized protocol. Participants perform a standing reach test followed by a maximal vertical jump. Jump height is calculated as the difference between standing reach and maximal jump reach. Each participant performs three trials, and the highest value is used for analysis. Assessments are conducted before and after the six-week intervention by an independent blinded assessor.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 27
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United Arab Emirates
  • Ajman Emirate
    • Al Jurf, Ajman Emirate, United Arab Emirates, 4184
      • Watson Arulsingh

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

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

Description

Inclusion Criteria

• Elite voluntary high jump athletes (male and/or female)
• Age range between 19-24 years
• Minimum of 3 years of structured high jump training experience
• Currently participating in regular training (at least 3 sessions per week)
• Medically fit to participate in plyometric and core stability training
• Enrolled in this study

Exclusion Criteria

• History of lower limb musculoskeletal trauma within the past three months
• Chronic asthma
• Ongoing physiotherapy for musculoskeletal pain
• Neurological conditions
• History of severe anxiety and depression

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Prevention
• Allocation: Non-Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Plyometric training alone; The plyometric training program uses variable-sized Swiss balls, 45 cm plyometric boxes for box jumps, a 30 cm box for depth jumps, sports cones for agility drills, and a synthetic long jump surface. Each session begins with a 5-10 minute active warm-up consisting of light jogging, dynamic stretching, and mobility exercises, followed by the plyometric training protocol, and concludes with a 10-minute cool-down period. Participants are instructed to continue their regular resistance training twice per week on non-consecutive days, targeting the upper body, lower body, and trunk, as per standard training	Other: Plyometric exercise alone; The plyometric training program uses variable-sized Swiss balls, 45 cm plyometric boxes for box jumps, a 30 cm depth jump box, sports cones, and a synthetic long jump surface. Each session begins with a 5-10 minute warm-up involving light jogging, dynamic stretching, and mobility exercises, and ends with a 10-minute cool-down. Participants continue their regular resistance training twice weekly on non-consecutive days, targeting major muscle groups. The program is designed to improve speed, agility, and quickness and follows a structured progression based on exercise complexity and intensity (low to high), considering balance, coordination, limb involvement, and impact level. It begins with simple, low-impact bilateral linear jumps and progresses to complex, high-impact, multidirectional and single-leg landing drills based on participant readiness, promoting gradual improvements in strength, control, and landing mechanics.; Other Names: PLYO
Experimental: Combined core-plyometric (COMBO) training; The core training regimen begins with fundamental core stabilization exercises and progresses to moderate-level training based on established core training principles. During the first week, exercises include pelvic tilts in supine and lunge positions, along with bilateral pelvic bridges. In the second week, the program progresses to unilateral pelvic bridges and quadruped bracing exercises performed without a Swiss ball. This is followed by two weeks of static core exercises, including contralateral single-leg holds and quadruped positioning using a Swiss ball. Once participants demonstrate adequate control and confidence with static exercises, dynamic movements such as upper body roll-outs are progressively introduced during the final two weeks of the program. Core stability exercises are performed for 12-15 minutes per session, with 8-10 repetitions per set and 2-3 sets per session, three times per week for six weeks.	Other: Core stability exercises with plyometric training; Participants receive both core stability and plyometric training. The core program begins with basic stabilization exercises and progressively advances to moderate-level training based on established principles. Week 1 includes pelvic tilts and bilateral bridges; Week 2 progresses to unilateral bridges and quadruped bracing without a Swiss ball. This is followed by two weeks of static exercises (e.g., contralateral single-leg holds, quadruped with Swiss ball), and finally dynamic exercises such as upper body roll-outs in the last two weeks. Core exercises are performed for 12-15 minutes per session, with 8-10 repetitions per set, 2-3 sets per session, three times per week for six weeks. Both interventions are demonstrated by qualified physical therapists and athletic coaches at different training sites.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Vertical Jump test	Vertical Jump test	"From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks"
Vertical Jump test	The primary outcome variable of this study is vertical jump distance, measured in centimetres following standard assessment guidelines. Participants begin from a static standing position and are instructed to reach upward maximally with one hand to establish the standing reach height. They then perform a maximal vertical jump after flexing their knees to approximately 90°, aiming to reach as high as possible. The vertical jump distance is calculated as the difference between the standing reach height and the highest point touched during the jump. An independent assessor, blinded to the intervention allocation, records all measurements. Each participant performs three trials, and the highest value obtained is used for statistical analysis.	6 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Gulf Medical University
• Collaborators: Alva's College of Physiotherapy
• Investigators: Study Chair: Watson Arulsingh, PhD, Gulf Medical University

Publications and helpful links

Helpful Links

• Google drive link will be shared once this work is published

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): March 1, 2016
• Primary Completion (Actual): April 1, 2017
• Study Completion (Actual): May 1, 2017

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 11, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 1, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): May 7, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 7, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 1, 2026
• Last Verified: May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Muscle Strength; Athletic performance; Core stability; Vertical jump
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Wounds and Injuries; Athletic Injuries; Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Patient Care; Exercise Therapy; Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Physical Conditioning, Human; Exercise; Plyometric Exercise
• Other Study ID Numbers: ACP/OP/2016/OL 02 (Other Identifier: Alva's college of Physioetherapy)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: Individual participant data will not be shared with other researchers. Institutional policies and the approved ethics protocol do not permit external sharing of raw participant data. Additionally, participants provided informed consent only for the use of their data in aggregated, de-identified form for publication purposes. Only summary statistics and final outcome measures will be reported in the manuscript.

Drug and device information, study documents

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