Acute Effects of Bilateral Versus Unilateral Isometric Conditioning Activity on Jump Performance in Volleyball Players

Official title

Acute Effects of Bilateral Versus Unilateral Isometric Conditioning Activity on Bilateral and Unilateral Jump Performance in Highly Trained Male Volleyball Players: A Randomized Crossover Trial

Overview

This randomized crossover trial investigates the acute effects of bilateral and unilateral isometric conditioning activity on bilateral and unilateral jump performance in highly trained male volleyball players. Fourteen athletes will complete three experimental conditions in randomized order: bilateral isometric squat conditioning activity (BI), unilateral isometric squat conditioning activity (UNI), and a control condition consisting of low-intensity treadmill walking (CTRL). In both isometric conditions, participants will perform three sets of three maximal 3-second contractions, with 3-minute recovery intervals between sets. Jump performance will be assessed before each experimental condition and at 4, 8, and 12 minutes afterward using bilateral countermovement jumps and single-leg jumps performed separately with each lower limb. The primary aim of the study is to determine whether the mode of isometric conditioning activity, unilateral versus bilateral, influences the magnitude and time course of acute changes in jump performance. An additional objective is to assess whether the effects of the conditioning activity differ between bilateral and unilateral jumping tasks.

Detailed description

This study is a randomized, counterbalanced crossover trial designed to examine the acute effects of unilateral and bilateral isometric conditioning activity on jump performance in highly trained male volleyball players. Fourteen participants will complete three experimental conditions on separate occasions in randomized order: bilateral isometric conditioning activity (BI), unilateral isometric conditioning activity (UNI), and a control condition (CTRL). Because each participant will complete all three conditions, every athlete will serve as his own control.

Each experimental session will begin with a standardized warm-up consisting of 5 minutes of cycling followed by bodyweight squats, walking lunges, thoracic spine rotations, and submaximal countermovement jumps. Baseline jump performance will then be assessed using two bilateral countermovement jumps and two single-leg jumps performed separately with each lower limb. The single-leg jump will involve take-off from one limb and landing on both limbs.

In the BI condition, participants will perform three sets of three maximal 3-second bilateral isometric squat contractions against an immovable resistance, with 3-minute recovery intervals between sets. In the UNI condition, participants will perform three sets of three maximal 3-second unilateral isometric squat contractions with each lower limb. The limbs will be alternated to reduce systematic differences in recovery time between sides. In the CTRL condition, participants will complete 9 minutes of low-intensity treadmill walking at 6 km/h.

Following each experimental condition, bilateral countermovement jump and single-leg jump performance will be reassessed at 4, 8, and 12 minutes. All jumps will be performed on force platforms. The primary outcome will be bilateral countermovement jump height. Secondary outcomes will include single-leg jump height and selected force-time variables derived from the bilateral and unilateral jump tests.

The primary objective of the study is to compare the acute effects of unilateral and bilateral isometric conditioning activity on bilateral countermovement jump performance. A secondary objective is to determine whether the type of conditioning activity produces task-specific effects on unilateral jump performance and whether the time course of post-activation performance enhancement differs between the BI and UNI conditions.

Interventions

• Behavioral Bilateral Isometric Conditioning Activity
  Three sets of three maximal 3-second bilateral isometric squat contractions performed against an immovable resistance, with 3-minute recovery intervals between sets. Participants will be instructed to push as hard and as fast as possible during each contraction.
• Behavioral Unilateral Isometric Conditioning Activity
  Three sets of three maximal 3-second unilateral isometric squat contractions performed with each lower limb against an immovable resistance. The lower limbs will be alternated, and 3-minute recovery intervals will be provided between sets. Participants will be instructed to push as hard and as fast as possible during each contraction.
• Behavioral Low-Intensity Treadmill Walking
  All participants will complete all three experimental conditions in a randomized and counterbalanced order, with a standardized recovery interval between sessions. Each participant will therefore serve as his own control.

Primary outcome measures

• Changes in Bilateral Countermovement Jump Height [Time frame: Baseline and 4, 8, and 12 minutes after each experimental condition]
• Changes in Single-Leg Jump Height [Time frame: Baseline and 4, 8, and 12 minutes after each experimental condition]

Secondary outcome measures (3)

• Changes in Bilateral Countermovement Jump Modified Reactive Strength Index [Time frame: Baseline and 4, 8, and 12 minutes after each experimental condition]
• Changes in Inter-Limb Concentric Impulse Asymmetry During the Bilateral Countermovement Jump [Time frame: Baseline and 4, 8, and 12 minutes after each experimental condition]
• Changes in Inter-Limb Single-Leg Jump Height Asymmetry [Time frame: Baseline and 4, 8, and 12 minutes after each experimental condition]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

• minimum of 7 years of systematic volleyball training,
• at least 3 resistance training sessions per week during the preceding 5 years,
• no musculoskeletal injury requiring training cessation longer than 4 weeks within 6 months prior to enrollment,
• absence of tattoos over the rectus femoris muscle that could interfere with thermographic assessment.

Exclusion criteria

• less than 7 years of systematic volleyball training,
• less than 3 resistance training sessions per week during the previous 5 years,
• any musculoskeletal injury within the 6 months prior to enrollment that required cessation of training for longer than 4 weeks,
• current musculoskeletal pain or injury that could affect jumping performance or participation in maximal isometric exercise,
• tattoos, scars, or skin conditions over the rectus femoris muscle that could interfere with thermographic measurements,
• use of medications or substances that may affect neuromuscular performance or muscle function,
• failure to comply with study procedures or testing requirements.

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: Yes

Study design

Allocation

Randomized

Model

Crossover

Masking

Open label

Primary purpose

Basic science

Study locations

Poland · 1 center

• Academy of Physical Education in Katowice — Katowice

Publications

• Krzysztofik M, Wilk M, Pisz A, Kolinger D, Tsoukos A, Aschenbrenner P, Stastny P, Bogdanis GC. Effects of Unilateral Conditioning Activity on Acute Performance Enhancement: A Systematic Review. J Sports Sci Med. 2022 Dec 1;21(4):625-639. doi: 10.52082/jssm.2022.625. eCollection 2022 Dec. PMID 36523899
• Jarosz J, Szwarc A. Isometric Conditioning Activity and Jump Performance: Impact of Training Status in Male Participants. J Clin Med. 2025 Sep 3;14(17):6214. doi: 10.3390/jcm14176214. PMID 40943974
• Lum D, Barbosa TM. Brief Review: Effects of Isometric Strength Training on Strength and Dynamic Performance. Int J Sports Med. 2019 May;40(6):363-375. doi: 10.1055/a-0863-4539. Epub 2019 Apr 3. PMID 30943568
• Helbin J, Gawel D, Terbalyan A, Wilk M, Krzysztofik M, Lum D, Jarosz J. Acute Effects of Isometric Contraction Distribution on Jump Performance in Volleyball Players. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol. 2025 Sep 9;10(3):343. doi: 10.3390/jfmk10030343. PMID 40981042
• Jarosz J, Drozd M, Gawel D, Wilk M, Helbin J, Krzysztofik M. Acute effects of isometric conditioning activity with different distribution contraction on countermovement jump performance in resistance trained participants. Sci Rep. 2025 May 15;15(1):16960. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-02126-4. PMID 40374844

Identifiers

NCT: NCT07709104 · 2-X/2025/002

Primary sources (government registries)

• ClinicalTrials.gov (US NIH)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗