Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026
Effects of a Novel Neuromuscular Training Intervention on Jump, Sprint, and Change of Direction in Adult Female Soccer Players
Published on: June 10, 2025
Acute effects of plyometric-dynamic stretching sequencing on athletic and neuromuscular performance in soccer
Sedat Özcan1, Bogdan Antohe2, Doğukan Hakan Atceken3
1Faculty of Sports Sciences, University of Süleyman Demirel, Isparta, Türkiye.
Background:
Dynamic stretching (DS) and plyometric exercises are commonly incorporated into warm-ups to acutely enhance athletic performance through increased range of motion, reduced muscle stiffness, and post-activation performance enhancement. However, the optimal sequencing of these two modalities prior to sport-specific activities remains unclear. This randomized crossover trial compared the acute effects of DS followed by vertical drop jumps (DJ) versus the reverse sequence on key athletic and neuromuscular performance outcomes in male amateur soccer players.
Methods:
Twenty male amateur soccer players (age 20.5 ± 1.7 years; height 176.6 ± 4.3 cm; body mass 71.9 ± 4.6 kg) completed three conditions in counterbalanced order: DS + DJ, DJ + DS, and a control condition (CC) consisting of standard dynamic activities only. Each session was separated by a minimum of 72 h. Outcomes included L-drill maneuverability, modified repeated sprint ability (RSA) total time and fatigue index, 10 m linear sprint speed, countermovement jump (CMJ) height, and standing broad jump distance.
Results:
Significant Condition × Time interactions favored the DS + DJ sequence for L-drill agility (η² = 0.43, p < 0.001), 10 m sprint (η² = 0.35, p = 0.002), CMJ height (η² = 0.28, p = 0.002), and standing broad jump (η² = 0.18, p = 0.03). DS + DJ produced significant improvements from pre- to post-warm-up in L-drill (Δ = - 0.15 s, d = 0.78), 10 m sprint (Δ = - 0.05 s, d = 0.65), CMJ height (Δ = +1.23 cm, d = 0.29), and broad jump distance (Δ = +4.20 cm, d = 0.38). By contrast, neither DS + DJ nor DJ + DS enhanced RSA total time or fatigue index (both p > 0.05).
Conclusions:
Performing DS before plyometric conditioning improves single-effort sprinting, jumping, and pre-planned change of direction but not repeated sprint ability. Coaches should use DS + DJ sequencing to acutely enhance neuromuscular performance in soccer players.
Trial Registration:
Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT), IRCT20230612058457N9. Registered 23 May 2026 (retrospectively registered), https://irct.ir/trial/90268 .
