{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,13]],"date-time":"2026-10-13T16:58:25Z","timestamp":1791910705467,"version":"4.3.4"},"reference-count":32,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,3]],"date-time":"2026-07-03T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1783036800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Physiol."],"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Kicking techniques are fundamental components of performance in competitive Wushu Sanda, requiring a combination of lower-limb explosive power and dynamic balance to generate high-velocity strikes while maintaining postural stability. Plyometric training is widely recognized for enhancing neuromuscular performance; however, limited research has examined how different plyometric modalities influence the biomechanics of sport-specific kicking movements in martial arts athletes.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Purpose<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>This study aimed to investigate the biomechanical adaptations of kicking performance following vertical plyometric training (VPT) and single-leg plyometric training (SLPT) in competitive Wushu Sanda athletes.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Thirty-six competitive Wushu Sanda athletes (18\u201325 years) were randomly assigned to three groups: VPT (n = 12), SLPT (n = 12), and a control group (CG; n = 12). The intervention lasted eight weeks with training sessions conducted three times per week. Biomechanical assessments were performed before and after the intervention using a three-dimensional motion capture system (250\u00a0Hz) and a force platform (1000\u00a0Hz). Key variables included peak ground reaction force (GRF), rate of force development (RFD), kick velocity, hip and knee angular velocities, and center of pressure (COP) displacement. Data were analyzed using two-way repeated-measures ANOVA (Group \u00d7 Time), with significance set at p &amp;lt; 0.05.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Significant group \u00d7 time interactions were observed for peak GRF (p &amp;lt; 0.001), RFD (p = 0.001), kick velocity (p = 0.001), knee angular velocity (p = 0.003), and COP displacement (p &amp;lt; 0.001). The VPT group demonstrated greater improvements in explosive power and kick velocity, whereas the SLPT group exhibited superior improvements in dynamic balance and inter-limb stability.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Both plyometric training modalities significantly enhanced kicking biomechanics in Wushu Sanda athletes, but produced distinct neuromuscular adaptations. VPT was more effective for improving explosive power and kicking velocity, while SLPT better enhanced dynamic balance. Integrating both modalities may optimize sport-specific performance in martial arts athletes.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.3389\/fphys.2026.1888868","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,3]],"date-time":"2026-07-03T04:21:52Z","timestamp":1783052512000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Biomechanical adaptations of kicks following vertical and single-leg plyometric training in competitive Wushu sanda athletes: implications for lower-limb explosive power and balance"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"17","author":[{"given":"Guo","family":"Cheng","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Physical Education, Nanjing Xiaozhuang University","place":["Nanjing, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Gang","family":"Chen","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Physical Education, Nanjing Xiaozhuang University","place":["Nanjing, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Na","family":"Zang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Nanjing University of Finance & Hongshan College","place":["Nanjing, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Changwei","family":"Chen","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Basic Courses Department, Qilu Institute of Technology","place":["Jinan, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Jianxin","family":"Zhou","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Physical Education, Nanjing Xiaozhuang University","place":["Nanjing, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Peng","family":"Liu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Physical Education, Nanjing Xiaozhuang University","place":["Nanjing, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,3]]},"reference":[{"key":"B1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1318","DOI":"10.1152\/japplphysiol.00283.2002","article-title":"Increased rate of force development and neural drive of human skeletal muscle following resistance training","volume":"93","author":"Aagaard","year":"2026","journal-title":"Journals Physiol."},{"key":"B2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1967","DOI":"10.1519\/JSC.0000000000002546","article-title":"Effects of combined balance and plyometric training on athletic performance in female basketball players","volume":"34","author":"Bouteraa","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. 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