Does plyometric training improve explosive muscle performance in experienced boulder climbers?
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN10927935 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN10927935 |
| Sponsor | Viña del Mar University |
| Funder | Universidad Viña del Mar |
- Submission date
- 22/06/2026
- Registration date
- 09/07/2026
- Last edited
- 23/06/2026
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Other
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Boulder climbing requires the ability to produce force rapidly in pulling movements. This study investigated whether a 10-week plyometric training programme of exercises involving explosive jumps and reactive pulls, could improve this capacity in experienced male boulder climbers.
Who can participate?
Male boulder climbers aged 20–40 years with a minimum bouldering performance level of V5 (self-reported current maximum redpoint grade).
What does the study involve?
Participants were randomly assigned to either a training group or a control group. The training group performed two plyometric sessions per week for 10 weeks, while the control group continued their usual climbing training. Muscle function was assessed before and after the intervention using tests of pulling strength, explosive push-up power, finger flexor strength, and jump performance.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Possible benefits: participants may experience improvements in explosive muscle performance, pulling strength, push-up power, and jump ability as a result of the plyometric training program.
Possible risks: as with any exercise program involving high-intensity explosive movements, there was a small risk of musculoskeletal injury, particularly to the upper limbs, fingers, and lower limbs. Participants were screened for pre-existing injuries before inclusion, and all sessions were supervised by a qualified coach to minimize this risk.
Where is the study run from?
Viña del Mar University, Chile.
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
August 2025 to October 2025.
Who is funding the study?
Viña del Mar University, Chile.
Who is the main contact?
Dr Guillermo Cortés Roco, guillermo.cortes@uvm.cl
Contact information
Principal investigator, Public, Scientific
Avenida Agua Santa 7055, Sector Rodelillo
Viña del Mar
2560000
Chile
 ORCID ID |
0000-0002-8033-4777 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +56978066148 |
| guillermo.cortes@uvm.cl |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Allocation | Randomized controlled trial |
| Masking | Blinded (masking used) |
| Control | Active |
| Assignment | Single |
| Purpose | Treatment |
| Scientific title | The effects of a 10-week plyometric training programme on selected neuromuscular outcomes in trained-to-highly-trained male boulder climbers: a preliminary exploratory trial |
| Study objectives | To determine the effect of a 10-week plyometric training programme on selected neuromuscular outcomes, including isometric pull-up rate of force development, upper-body explosive power, and finger flexor strength , in trained-to-highly-trained male boulder climbers. |
| Ethics approval(s) |
Approved 08/07/2025, Scientific Ethics Committee, Viña del Mar University (Comité Ético Científico, Universidad Viña del Mar; CEC-UVM) (Avenida Agua Santa 7055, Sector Rodelillo, Viña del Mar, 2560000, Chile; +56 9 8292 6125; consultascec@uvm.cl), ref: 32-25 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Neuromuscular performance in sport. This study examined the effects of plyometric training on explosive force production and rate of force development in trained boulder climbers. No clinical condition or disease was studied; participants were healthy, trained athletes. |
| Intervention | Participants were randomly assigned to groups using a computer-generated random number sequence produced in Microsoft Excel prior to the baseline assessment. The sequence was generated by a researcher not involved in the intervention delivery or outcome assessment. The intervention group performed two plyometric training sessions per week for 10 weeks (45–60 minutes per session), including plyometric push-ups, reactive pull-ups, campus board exercises, and lower-body plyometric jumps, supervised by a qualified strength and conditioning coach. Session volume was progressed across four phases: adaptation (weeks 1–4), bouldering-specific plyometrics (weeks 5–6 and 8–10), and a deload week (week 7). The control group maintained their habitual climbing training (minimum three sessions per week) without additional plyometric stimuli. |
| Intervention type | Behavioural |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
|
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
|
| Completion date | 25/10/2025 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 20 Years |
| Upper age limit | 40 Years |
| Sex | Male |
| Target sample size at registration | 18 |
| Total final enrolment | 18 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Male boulder climbers aged 20–40 years 2. Minimum bouldering performance level of V5 (self-reported current maximum redpoint grade) 3. At least two years of continuous sport climbing experience 4. Training frequency of three or more sessions per week over the previous six months 5. Absence of active musculoskeletal injuries at the time of initial assessment |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Active musculoskeletal injury at the time of initial assessment 2. Medical conditions contraindicating reactive or ballistic training 3. Injury sustained during the intervention period preventing continuation of the protocol 4. Session adherence rate below 80% of scheduled sessions |
| Date of first enrolment | 02/08/2025 |
| Date of final enrolment | 09/08/2025 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Chile
Study participating centres
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|
Editorial Notes
23/06/2026: Study’s existence confirmed by the Scientific Ethics Committee, Viña del Mar University (Comité Ético Científico, Universidad Viña del Mar; CEC-UVM), Chile.
