A Study on the Effects of Instability Resistance Training on Dynamic Balance and Rapid Change-of-Direction Ability in College Basketball Recruits

The Effects of Unstable Resistance Training on Dynamic Balance and Rapid Change-of-Direction Ability in Male College Basketball Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This experiment aims to investigate the effects of unstable resistance training on the dynamic balance ability and rapid directional change mobility of college basketball majors, while comparing it with traditional resistance training to analyze the statistical differences between the two in enhancing the dynamic balance ability and rapid directional change mobility of the majors-Parazacco spilurus subsp. spilurus-and to explore the underlying reasons, thereby opening new research avenues for improving the dynamic balance ability and rapid directional change mobility of college majors.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Training; Athletes; Male
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Unstable Resistance Training Group; Behavioral: Traditional Resistance Training

Detailed Description

All participants completed a 12-week training program, training three times per week with at least a 48-hour interval between consecutive training sessions. Depending on their group assignment, participants performed either unstable resistance training (experimental group) or traditional resistance training on a stable surface (control group). Both groups followed the same training frequency, training volume, exercise sequence, and rest intervals between sets; the only difference was the training surface. During training, the experimental group used unstable equipment such as BOSU balls, balance pads, and Swiss balls, while the control group performed the corresponding exercises on a stable floor. All training sessions were uniformly supervised by researchers to ensure proper form and training adherence.

Each training session began with a standardized warm-up, including 5 minutes of light jogging and dynamic stretching, followed by exercise-specific warm-up movements. Prior to the formal training, participants completed one set of adaptation exercises at approximately 50% of the formal training load. Rest periods between exercises were 30 seconds, while rest periods between sets were controlled at 45-60 seconds depending on the training phase.

The experimental group's training program was divided into three cycles. Weeks 1 through 4 constituted the basic adaptation phase, with training consisting of BOSU ball elbow plank (40 s × 4 sets), squats on a balance pad (10 reps × 4 sets), back-against-Swiss-ball squats with ball between the knees (40 s × 4 sets), and swan-pose balance on the BOSU ball (30 s × 4 sets), with 45 s of rest between sets. Weeks 5 through 8 constitute the enhancement phase, with training consisting of weighted squats on a balance pad (15 reps × 4 sets), weighted deadlifts on a balance pad (10 reps × 4 sets), alternating lunges on a BOSU ball (15 reps × 4 sets), and medicine ball lunge twists with toss and catch (with the front leg on the BOSU ball) (12 reps × 4 sets), with a 45-second rest between sets. Weeks 9 through 12 constitute the consolidation phase, with training consisting of weighted single-leg deadlifts on a balance pad (12 reps × 4 sets), weighted crunches on a BOSU ball (12 reps × 4 sets), weighted Russian twists on the BOSU ball (12 reps × 4 sets), and weighted Bulgarian split squats on the BOSU ball (12 reps × 4 sets), with 60 s of rest between sets.

The control group underwent traditional resistance training on a stable surface, with the same training cycle and training volume as the experimental group. Weeks 1 through 4 consisted of elbow plank (40 s × 4 sets), single-leg lifts on a flat surface (10 reps × 4 sets), static squats with a ball held against a wall (40 s × 4 sets), and swan pose balance on the floor (30 s × 4 sets); Weeks 5 through 8: squats (15 reps × 4 sets), weighted single-leg lifts (10 reps × 4 sets), weighted alternating lunges (15 reps × 4 sets), and medicine ball lunge twists with toss and catch (12 reps × 4 sets); Weeks 9 through 12 consisted of weighted squats (12 reps × 4 sets), weighted crunches (12 reps × 4 sets), weighted Russian twists (12 reps × 4 sets), and weighted Bulgarian split squats (12 reps × 4 sets), with rest intervals of 45 s and 60 s between sets, respectively. The experimental instruments and their models used during the experiment were as follows: stopwatch (PC2810, China), measuring tape (JGW-5m, China) , a whistle (PE-001, China), marker cones (KS-TC23, China), a Y Balance Test Kit™ (USA), a BOSU ball (SH-BOSU58, China), a balance mat (SH-BP34, China), 5 kg dumbbells (SH-DB5, China), a 5 kg medicine ball (SH-MB5, China), barbell plates (SH-WP5, China), and 65 cm Swiss balls (SH-GB65, China).

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 24
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• China
  • Guangdong
    • Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510630
      • Guangzhou Sports University Indoor Basketball Gymnasium

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Students in the specialized basketball class.
• No history of sports-related injuries in the past six months.
• No history of serious injuries or illnesses that would affect participation in this experiment.
• Willing to participate in the experiment and have signed an informed consent form.

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of surgery on the upper or lower limbs or other parts of the body within the past six months.
• History of severe sports injuries or physical illnesses.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Unstable Resistance Training Group; Unstable Resistance Training Intervention. The training program primarily consists of unstable resistance squats and unstable planks. Depending on the participants' fitness levels and safety considerations, the program is supplemented with auxiliary exercises and sport-specific warm-ups. During training, relevant information such as compliance, number of sets, number of repetitions, subjective effort perception, attendance, and adverse events is recorded.	Behavioral: Unstable Resistance Training Group; Unstable Resistance Training Intervention. The training program primarily consists of unstable resistance squats and unstable planks. Depending on the participants' fitness levels and safety considerations, the program is supplemented with auxiliary exercises and sport-specific warm-ups. During training, relevant information such as compliance, number of sets, number of repetitions, subjective effort perception, attendance, and adverse events is recorded.
Other: Traditional Resistance Training Group; Traditional resistance training. This primarily involves exercises such as squats and planks, without the use of equipment like stability balls that promote instability.	Behavioral: Traditional Resistance Training; Traditional resistance training. This primarily involves exercises such as squats and planks, without the use of equipment like stability balls that promote instability.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change from baseline in normalized Y-Balance Test composite score after 12 weeks of training	The Y-Balance Test will be used to evaluate lower-limb dynamic balance. Reach distances in the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions will be measured for both the left and right limbs. All reach distances will be normalized to limb length, and a composite score will be calculated for each limb. The primary reported value will be the change in normalized composite score from baseline to 12 weeks. Higher values represent better dynamic balance ability.	Day 0, Day 74

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change from baseline in Illinois Agility Test completion time after 12 weeks of training	The Illinois Agility Test will be used to assess change-of-direction speed and agility performance. Participants will complete the standardized Illinois Agility Test course consisting of straight-line sprinting and multiple changes of direction around cones. Completion time will be recorded in seconds using a stopwatch. Two trials will be performed, and the fastest completion time will be used for analysis. The primary reported outcome will be the change in completion time from baseline to 12 weeks. Lower completion times indicate better change-of-direction performance.	Day 0, Day 74
Change from baseline in Pro Agility Test completion time after 12 weeks of training	The Pro Agility Test (5-10-5 shuttle run) will be used to assess multidirectional change-of-direction speed and agility. Participants will sprint 5 m to one side, change direction to sprint 10 m in the opposite direction, and then change direction again to sprint 5 m back through the starting line. Completion time will be recorded in seconds using a stopwatch. Two trials will be performed, and the fastest completion time will be used for analysis. The primary reported outcome will be the change in completion time from baseline to 12 weeks. Lower completion times indicate better change-of-direction performance.	Day 0, Day 74
Change from baseline in Nebraska Agility Test completion time after 12 weeks of training	The Nebraska Agility Test will be used to assess multidirectional agility, change-of-direction speed, and body control. Participants will complete the standardized Nebraska Agility Test course, which includes sprinting, lateral shuffling, backward running, turning, and rapid directional changes around designated cones. Completion time will be recorded in seconds using a stopwatch. Two trials will be performed, and the fastest completion time will be used for analysis. The primary reported outcome will be the change in completion time from baseline to 12 weeks. Lower completion times indicate better agility and change-of-direction performance.	Day 0, Day 74
Change from baseline in Three-Second Zone Multi-directional Movement Test completion time after 12 weeks of training	The Three-Second Zone Multi-directional Movement Test will be used to assess basketball-specific multidirectional movement ability, including sprinting, lateral shuffling, backward running, and rapid changes of direction. Participants will complete the standardized movement course within the basketball three-second zone. Completion time will be recorded in seconds using a stopwatch. Two trials will be performed, and the fastest completion time will be used for analysis. The primary reported outcome will be the change in completion time from baseline to 12 weeks. Lower completion times indicate better multidirectional movement and change-of-direction performance.	Day 0, Day 74
Change from baseline in T-Test completion time after 12 weeks of training	The T-Test will be used to assess agility, multidirectional movement, and change-of-direction speed. Participants will complete the standardized T-Test course, which includes forward sprinting, lateral shuffling to both directions, and backward running. Completion time will be recorded in seconds using a stopwatch. Two trials will be performed, and the fastest completion time will be used for analysis. The primary reported outcome will be the change in completion time from baseline to 12 weeks. Lower completion times indicate better agility and change-of-direction performance.	Day 0, Day 74

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Richen Sun
• Investigators: Study Director: Hengtong Wang, Ph.D., Professor, Guangzhou sport univeristy

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Barrera-Dominguez FJ, Carmona-Gomez A, Tornero-Quinones I, Saez-Padilla J, Sierra-Robles A, Molina-Lopez J. Influence of Dynamic Balance on Jumping-Based Asymmetries in Team Sport: A between-Sports Comparison in Basketball and Handball Athletes. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Feb 14;18(4):1866. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18041866.
• Asgari M, Schmidt M, Terschluse B, Sueck M, Jaitner T. Acute effects of the FIFA11+ and Football+ warm-ups on motor performance. A crossover randomized controlled trial. PLoS One. 2023 Apr 20;18(4):e0284702. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284702. eCollection 2023.
• Topcu H, Gungor AK, Yildirim Y, Sekir U, Behm DG, Aldhahi MI. Effects of rear-foot instability devices on lower-limb muscle activation during the Bulgarian split squat in male football players. Sci Rep. 2025 Dec 14;16(1):2557. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-32203-7.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): March 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): June 30, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): June 30, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 25, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 6, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): July 10, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): July 10, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 6, 2026
• Last Verified: July 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: 2024LCLL-149

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: Due to the need to protect the privacy of the study participants, the experimental data will not be made public; however, if necessary, please contact the author for reasonable use.

Drug and device information, study documents

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