The Effect of Plyometric Training Versus Combined Plyometric and Core Training on Autonomic Regulation and Muscle Oxygenation During Incremental Resistance Exercise in Collegiate Athletes

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

Combined plyometric and core training significantly increased resting RMSSD by a mean difference of 8.4 ms compared to plyometric training alone in collegiate athletes.

Q: What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: RCT. Population: Healthy collegiate athletes (n=45). Intervention: Combined plyometric and core training (PT+CT) vs. Plyometric training alone (PT) and sport-specific training only (CON). Primary outcome: Resting RMSSD (root mean square of successive differences) (Mean difference 8.4 ms, 95% CI 2.3-14.5, p=0.008).

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

Combined plyometric and core training elicits superior improvements in autonomic regulation, muscle oxygenation, and jump performance compared to plyometric training alone in collegiate athletes. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONFIRMATORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

Dhanasekaran Chandrasekaran; Sundar Raj Narsing Raj; Vedan Shatish Raj Kannan Baba; K. H. Nagaraj; Uma Palanisamy; Farjana Akter Boby; Yuni Astuti; J. Tejaswi

doi:10.17309/tmfv.2026.3.17

May 23, 2026Physical Education Theory and MethodologyOpen Access

The Effect of Plyometric Training Versus Combined Plyometric and Core Training on Autonomic Regulation and Muscle Oxygenation During Incremental Resistance Exercise in Collegiate Athletes

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Key result

Combined plyometric and core training increases resting RMSSD by ~8 ms versus plyometrics alone.

Mean difference +8.4 ms
95% CI 2.3-14.5
P=0.008
n=45

Why the study?

The comparative effects of plyometric training versus combined plyometric and core training on autonomic regulation and muscle oxygenation during resistance exercise were unknown.

Does combined plyometric and core training improve autonomic regulation and muscle oxygenation compared to plyometric training alone or control in collegiate athletes?

Key Points

To compare the effects of 10 weeks of plyometric training versus combined plyometric and core training on autonomic nervous system regulation and local muscle oxygenation during resistance exercise in collegiate athletes.
Assessor-blinded, three-arm randomized controlled trial in 45 collegiate athletes (aged 19–24 years; 42 completed) assigned to plyometric training (PT; n = 15), combined plyometric and core training (PT+CT; n = 15), or sport-specific control (CON; n = 15).
Interventions took place 3 sessions per week for 10 weeks, evaluating progressive plyometrics against identical plyometrics supplemented with structured core exercises.
Primary outcomes included resting and post-exercise heart rate variability (RMSSD, SDNN, HF power, LF/HF ratio) and vastus lateralis muscle oxygen saturation (SmO₂) measured via near-infrared spectroscopy during incremental back squat (60%, 70%, 80% 1-RM).
Resting RMSSD increased significantly more in PT+CT (pre: 42.3 ms, post: 58.6 ms) than PT (mean difference, 8.4 ms; 95% CI, 2.3-14.5 ms; P = .008) and CON (mean difference, 14.7 ms; 95% CI, 8.6-20.8 ms; P < .001).
During back squat at 80% 1-RM, SmO₂ was significantly higher in PT+CT than both PT and CON (P ≤ .01), while post-exercise HF power was better preserved in PT+CT than CON (P = .003).
Both training groups improved 1-RM back squat compared to CON (PT: +12.8%, 95% CI, 9.4%-16.2%; PT+CT: +14.1%, 95% CI, 10.9%-17.3%; P < .001), while countermovement jump gained more in PT+CT (8.2 cm) than PT (5.9 cm; P = .04) and CON (1.1 cm; P < .001).

Study Design

Type

RCT (n=45)

Blinding

Assessor-blinded

Randomization

1:1:1 ratio using a computer-generated random sequence

Multicenter

No

Structured PICO

Does combined plyometric and core training improve autonomic regulation and muscle oxygenation compared to plyometric training alone or control in collegiate athletes?

P

Population

45 collegiate athletes (aged 19–24 years) from volleyball, soccer, and basketball backgrounds.

I

Intervention

Combined plyometric plus core training (PT+CT) consisting of progressive plyometric exercises supplemented with structured core exercises, three sessions per week for 10 weeks.

C

Comparator

Plyometric training (PT) alone (progressive plyometric exercises, three sessions per week for 10 weeks) and a control group (CON) continuing sport-specific training only.

O

Outcome

Resting and post-exercise HRV indices (RMSSD, SDNN, HF power, LF/HF ratio) and SmO₂ measured via near-infrared spectroscopy during incremental back squat at 60%, 70%, and 80% of 1-RM.surrogate

Main Result

Effect estimate: Mean difference 8.4 ms (95% CI 2.3-14.5)

Absolute Event Rate: 58.6% vs 49.7%

p-value: p=0.008

Combined plyometric and core training elicits superior improvements in autonomic regulation and muscle oxygenation compared to plyometric training alone in collegiate athletes.

Limitations

Sample drawn from a single university, limiting generalizability
Did not measure plasma biomarkers of vascular function or perform echocardiographic assessment
Control group did not perform a time-matched sham intervention, so a Hawthorne effect cannot be excluded
NIRS measurements were limited to a single site on the vastus lateralis
Loading intensities above 80% 1-RM were not tested, leaving the upper boundary of the core training effect unknown
10-week duration may not capture the full trajectory of autonomic and vascular remodeling
Blinding of trainers and participants was not feasible

Implication

Supports adding core training to plyometrics to enhance autonomic regulation in athletes; extends RCT evidence on combined training effects on HRV.

Abstract

Objectives. This study aimed to compare the effects of plyometric training (PT) and combined plyometric plus core training (PT+CT) on autonomic nervous system regulation and local muscle oxygenation during resistance exercise in collegiate athletes. Specifically, changes in heart rate variability (HRV), muscle oxygen saturation (SmO₂), and performance parameters were examined following a 10-week intervention. Materials and Methods. A three-arm, parallel-group, assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted with 45 collegiate athletes (aged 19–24 years) from volleyball, soccer, and basketball backgrounds. Participants were randomly assigned to PT (n = 15), PT+CT (n = 15), or a control group (CON; n = 15). The PT group performed progressive plyometric exercises, while the PT+CT group completed identical plyometric training supplemented with structured core exercises, three sessions per week for 10 weeks. The CON group continued sport-specific training only. Primary outcomes included resting and post-exercise HRV indices (RMSSD, SDNN, HF power, LF/HF ratio) and SmO₂ measured via near-infrared spectroscopy during incremental back squat at 60%, 70%, and 80% of 1-RM. Secondary outcomes included maximal strength, jump performance, blood lactate, and perceived exertion. Results. Forty-two participants completed the study. Both PT and PT+CT groups showed significantly greater improvements in 1-RM back squat compared with CON (P < .001). The PT+CT group demonstrated superior increases in resting RMSSD compared with PT (P = .008) and CON (P < .001). During high-intensity exercise (80% 1-RM), SmO₂ was significantly higher in PT+CT than in both PT and CON (P ≤ .01). Post-exercise HF power was better preserved in PT+CT than CON (P = .003). Additionally, countermovement jump performance improved more in PT+CT than PT (P = .04) and CON (P < .001), with no significant differences observed in blood lactate or RPE. Conclusions. The findings confirm that combined plyometric and core training elicits superior improvements in autonomic regulation and muscle oxygenation compared to plyometric training alone, supporting its integration into resistance-based conditioning programs for enhanced physiological and performance adaptations.

Discussion

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Cite This Study

Chandrasekaran et al. (2026) conducted an RCT in Healthy collegiate athletes (n=45). Combined plyometric and core training (PT+CT) vs. Plyometric training alone (PT) and sport-specific training only (CON) was evaluated on Resting RMSSD (root mean square of successive differences) (Mean difference 8.4 ms, 95% CI 2.3-14.5, p=0.008). Combined plyometric and core training significantly increased resting RMSSD by a mean difference of 8.4 ms compared to plyometric training alone in collegiate athletes.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a1600890e719e62915ceac3 https://doi.org/10.17309/tmfv.2026.3.17

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The Effect of Plyometric Training Versus Combined Plyometric and Core Training on Autonomic Regulation and Muscle Oxygenation During Incremental Resistance Exercise in Collegiate Athletes

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Limitations

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

The Effect of Plyometric Training Versus Combined Plyometric and Core Training on Autonomic Regulation and Muscle Oxygenation During Incremental Resistance Exercise in Collegiate Athletes

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Limitations

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

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