Combined Strength and Plyometric Training in Sanda Athletes

Effects of Combined Strength and Plyometric Training on Lower-Limb Performance and Neuromuscular Function in Sanda Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of an 8-week combined strength and plyometric training program on lower-limb performance and neuromuscular function in male Sanda athletes. Thirty male Sanda athletes were randomly assigned to a strength training group or a combined strength and plyometric training group. Both groups trained three times per week for 8 weeks. Outcomes were assessed before and after the intervention and included standing long jump, countermovement jump, hexagon test, reactive strength index, lower-limb vertical stiffness, and lead-leg Sanda roundhouse kick attack time.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Athletic Performance; Neuromuscular Function; Lower-Limb Performance;Sanda
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Strength Training; Behavioral: Combined Strength and Plyometric Training

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 30
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• China
  • Beijing Municipality
    • Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China, 100084
      • Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

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

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Male Sanda athletes aged 18-25 years. Holders of National Second-Class Athlete certification or above. Provided written informed consent before participation.

Exclusion Criteria:

Recent musculoskeletal injury, particularly of the lower limbs. Any contraindication to high-intensity training. Participation in additional structured strength or plyometric training during the previous 8 weeks.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Strength Training	Behavioral: Strength Training; The strength training intervention consisted of periodized resistance training over 8 weeks, with progressive increases in intensity based on one-repetition maximum. Exercises included lower-limb resistance exercises such as squat, deadlift, and lunge variations.
Experimental: Combined Strength and Plyometric Training	Behavioral: Combined Strength and Plyometric Training; The combined training intervention consisted of the same periodized strength training program as the strength training group plus a plyometric training component. Plyometric exercises were performed on non-slip rubber flooring, and jump height was monitored before each session.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Standing Long Jump Performance	Standing long jump distance was assessed using standardized procedures. Participants completed three maximal trials, and the best distance in centimeters was recorded.	Baseline and post-intervention within 48 hours after the final training session, approximately 8 weeks
Change in Countermovement Jump Height	Countermovement jump height was assessed using a force platform. Participants completed three trials with hands on hips, and jump height was derived from the equipment.	Baseline and post-intervention within 48 hours after the final training session, approximately 8 weeks
Change in Hexagon Test Performance	Change-of-direction performance was evaluated using the hexagon test. Participants completed three timed trials, and the fastest time in seconds was retained.	Baseline and post-intervention within 48 hours after the final training session, approximately 8 weeks
Change in Reactive Strength Index	Reactive strength index was derived from force-platform data during repeated bilateral maximal vertical hops.	Baseline and post-intervention within 48 hours after the final training session, approximately 8 weeks
Change in Lower-Limb Vertical Stiffness	Lower-limb vertical stiffness was calculated from force-platform data during repeated hopping trials using peak ground reaction force, center-of-mass vertical displacement, body mass, contact time, and gravitational acceleration.	Baseline and post-intervention within 48 hours after the final training session, approximately 8 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Lead-Leg Sanda Roundhouse Kick Attack Time	Lead-leg Sanda roundhouse kick attack time was assessed as a sport-specific outcome using high-speed video recording. Attack time was defined as the interval from movement onset to first target contact, and the mean of three valid trials was used for analysis.	Baseline and post-intervention within 48 hours after the final training session, approximately 8 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Mingjie Hu

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 20, 2026
• Primary Completion (Actual): April 15, 2026
• Study Completion (Actual): April 20, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 25, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 25, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): June 1, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): June 1, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 25, 2026
• Last Verified: January 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: 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; Resistance Training; Plyometric Exercise
• Other Study ID Numbers: BSU-2026029H

Drug and device information, study documents

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