Effects of plyometric training on jumping, sprint performance and lower body muscle strength in healthy adults: A systematic review and meta-analyses.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of lower-body plyometric training (PLY) on jumping, sprint performance and lower body muscle strength in healthy adults. METHODS: A systematic literature search (Pubmed, Embase) was performed. Studies were included if they 1) described a lower-body PLY intervention lasting ≥ 4weeks; 2) included measures of jumping, sprint and/or lower body muscle strength; 3) included healthy individuals ≥ 18 years; 4) included a training or non-training control group; 5) were written in English. Meta-analyses identifying the effects of PLY on jumping, sprint and lower body muscle strength were conducted providing the standardized mean difference (SMD). RESULTS: 826 records were identified of which 25 fulfilled the inclusion criteria, yielding 19, 11 and 7 data points for the meta-analyses of jumping, sprint performance and lower body muscle strength respectively. The data showed improvements for all three performance variables after 4-12 weeks of PLY. The SMD [CI95%] across studies for jump height, sprint time and muscle strength were 0.45 [0.16: 0.75], - 0.59 [- 1.01: - 0.17] and 0.33 [0.03: 0.63], respectively, where the latter two showed within-sample heterogeneity. CONCLUSION: The systematic review and meta-analyses showed that PLY elicits a small to moderate positive effect on jumping, sprint performance and lower body muscle strength in healthy adults being recreationally active or athletes. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.