Effect of upper body plyometric training on physical performance in healthy individuals: A systematic review

Olympic Weightlifting Training for Sprint Performance in Athletes: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine whether Olympic weightlifting (OW) exercises would improve sprint performance when compared to a control intervention, (no training, standard sport-specific training, traditional resistance training, or plyometric training). Medline, Web of Science, SportDiscus, CINAHL, and Biological Science from inception to September 2022 was searched. Two authors independently selected the included studies, extracted data, and appraised the risk of bias. Certainty of the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology. The primary meta-analysis combined the results of the sprint performance over the full length of each sprint test. The secondary meta-analyses combined the results of the sprint performance at 5, 10, and 20 m distance to capture information about the acceleration phase of the sprint tests. Eight studies with 206 athletes (female n=10, age range: 18.9-24.2 years) were identified. Sprint performance did not differ significantly comparing OW to the control intervention, nor at the full length (standardized mean difference=-0.07, 95% CI=-0.47 to 0.34, p=0.75, I2=46%) or during the acceleration phase (p≥0.26) of the sprint test. OW training does not improve sprint performance to a greater extent than comparator interventions.

Effects of Upper-Body Plyometric Training on Physical Fitness in Healthy Youth and Young Adult Participants: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Upper-body plyometric training (UBPT) is a commonly used training method, yet its effects on physical fitness are inconsistent and there is a lack of comprehensive reviews on the topic.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effects of UBPT on physical fitness in healthy youth and young adult participants compared to active, specific-active, and passive controls.

METHODS

This systematic review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines and utilized the PICOS framework. PubMed, WOS, and SCOPUS were searched. Studies were assessed for eligibility using the PICOS framework. The effects of UBPT on upper-body physical fitness were assessed, including maximal strength, medicine ball throw performance, sport-specific throwing performance, and upper limb muscle volume. The risk of bias was evaluated using the PEDro scale. Means and standard deviations were used to calculate effect sizes, and the I2 statistic was used to assess heterogeneity. Publication bias was assessed using the extended Egger's test. Certainty of evidence was rated using the GRADE scale. Additional analyses included sensitivity analyses and adverse effects.

RESULTS

Thirty-five studies were included in the systematic review and 30 studies in meta-analyses, involving 1412 male and female participants from various sport-fitness backgrounds. Training duration ranged from 4 to 16 weeks. Compared to controls, UBPT improved maximal strength (small ES = 0.39 95% CI = 0.15-0.63, p = 0.002, I2 = 29.7%), medicine ball throw performance (moderate ES = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.43-0.85, p < 0.001, I2 = 46.3%), sport-specific throwing performance (small ES = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.25-0.86, p < 0.001, I2 = 36.8%), and upper limbs muscle volume (moderate ES = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.20-1.08, p = 0.005, I2 = 0.0%). The GRADE analyses provided low or very low certainty for the recommendation of UBPT for improving physical fitness in healthy participants. One study reported one participant with an injury due to UBPT. The other 34 included studies provided no report measure for adverse effects linked to UBPT.

CONCLUSIONS

UBPT interventions may enhance physical fitness in healthy youth and young adult individuals compared to control conditions. However, the certainty of evidence for these recommendations is low or very low. Further research is needed to establish the optimal dose of UBPT and to determine its effect on female participants and its transfer to other upper-body dominated sports.

Effects of plyometric training on technical skill performance among athletes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The literature has proven that plyometric training (PT) improves various physical performance outcomes in sports. Even though PT is one of the most often employed strength training methods, a thorough analysis of PT and how it affects technical skill performance in sports needs to be improved.

METHODS

This study aimed to compile and synthesize the existing studies on the effects of PT on healthy athletes' technical skill performance. A comprehensive search of SCOPUS, PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection, and SPORTDiscus databases was performed on 3rd May 2023. PICOS was employed to establish the inclusion criteria: 1) healthy athletes; 2) a PT program; 3) compared a plyometric intervention to an active control group; 4) tested at least one measure of athletes' technical skill performance; and 5) randomized control designs. The methodological quality of each individual study was evaluated using the PEDro scale. The random-effects model was used to compute the meta-analyses. Subgroup analyses were performed (participant age, gender, PT length, session duration, frequency, and number of sessions). Certainty or confidence in the body of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE).

RESULTS

Thirty-two moderate-high-quality studies involving 1078 athletes aged 10-40 years met the inclusion criteria. The PT intervention lasted for 4 to 16 weeks, with one to three exercise sessions per week. Small-to-moderate effect sizes were found for performance of throwing velocity (i.e., handball, baseball, water polo) (ES = 0.78; p < 0.001), kicking velocity and distance (i.e., soccer) (ES = 0.37-0.44; all p < 0.005), and speed dribbling (i.e., handball, basketball, soccer) (ES = 0.85; p = 0.014), while no significant effects on stride rate (i.e., running) were noted (ES = 0.32; p = 0.137). Sub-analyses of moderator factors included 16 data sets. Only training length significantly modulated PT effects on throwing velocity (> 7 weeks, ES = 1.05; ≤ 7 weeks, ES = 0.29; p = 0.011). The level of certainty of the evidence for the meta-analyzed outcomes ranged from low to moderate.

CONCLUSION

Our findings have shown that PT can be effective in enhancing technical skills measures in youth and adult athletes. Sub-group analyses suggest that PT longer (> 7 weeks) lengths appear to be more effective for improving throwing velocity. However, to fully determine the effectiveness of PT in improving sport-specific technical skill outcomes and ultimately enhancing competition performance, further high-quality research covering a wider range of sports is required.

Effects of Plyometric Training on Physical Performance: An Umbrella Review

BACKGROUND

Plyometric training can be performed through many types of exercises involving the stretch-shortening cycle in lower limbs. In the last decades, a high number of studies have investigated the effects of plyometric training on several outcomes in different populations.

OBJECTIVES

To systematically review, summarize the findings, and access the quality of published meta-analyses investigating the effects of plyometric training on physical performance.

DESIGN

Systematic umbrella review of meta-analyses.

DATA SOURCES

Meta-analyses were identified using a systematic literature search in the databases PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and Scielo.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING META-ANALYSES

Meta-analyses that examined the effects of plyometric training on physical fitness in different populations, age groups, and sex.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine meta-analyses with moderate-to-high methodological quality were included in this umbrella review. We identified a relevant weakness in the current literature, in which five meta-analyses included control group comparisons, while 24 included pre-to-post-effect sizes. Trivial-to-large effects were found considering the effects of plyometric training on physical performance for healthy individuals, medium-trivial effects for the sports athletes' groups and medium effects for different sports athletes' groups, age groups, and physical performance.

CONCLUSION

The available evidence indicates that plyometric training improves most related physical fitness parameters and sports performance. However, it is important to outline that most meta-analyses included papers lacking a control condition. As such, the results should be interpreted with caution. PROSPERO number: CRD42020217918.

Effects of Combined Upper and Lower Limb Plyometric Training Interventions on Physical Fitness in Athletes: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

Objective: We aimed to meta-analyze the effects of combined upper and lower limb plyometric training (ULLPT) on physical fitness attributes in athletes. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, PubMed, and SCOPUS, for up to 13 August 2022. Controlled studies with baseline and follow-up measures were included if they examined the effects of ULLPT on at least one measure of physical fitness indices in athletes. A random effects meta-analysis was performed using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software. Results: Fifteen moderate-to-high-quality studies with 523 participants aged 12−22.4 years were included in the analyses. Small to large (ES = 0.42−1.66; p = 0.004 to <0.001) effects were noted for upper and lower body muscle power, linear sprint speed, upper and lower body muscle strength, agility, and flexibility, while no significant effects on static and dynamic balance were noted (ES = 0.44−0.10; all p > 0.05). Athletes’ sex, age, and training program variables had no modulator role on the effects of ULLPT in available data sets. Conclusions: ULLPT induces distinct neuro-muscular adaptations in the upper and lower body musculature and is an efficient method for enhancing athletes’ physical fitness.

Effects of plyometric training on skill and physical performance in healthy tennis players: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Plyometric training (PT) has been researched extensively in athletic populations. However, the effects of PT on tennis players are less clear. Methods: We aim to consolidate the existing research on the effects of PT on healthy tennis players' skill and physical performance. On 30th May 2022, a comprehensive search of SCOPUS, PubMed, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus (via EBSCOhost) databases was performed. PICOS was employed to define the inclusion criteria: 1) healthy tennis players; 2) a PT program; 3) compared a plyometric intervention to a control group or another exercise group, and single-group trials; 4) tested at least one measures of tennis skill or physical performance; and 5) non-randomized study trials and randomized control designs. Individual studies' methodological quality was evaluated by using the Cochrane RoB-2 and ROBINS-I instruments. Using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE), the certainty of the body of evidence for each outcome was assessed, and Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software was employed for the meta-analysis. Results: Twelve studies comprising 443 tennis players aged 12.5-25 years were eligible for inclusion. The PT lasted from 3 to 9 weeks. Eight studies provided data to allow for the pooling of results in a meta-analysis. A moderate positive effect was detected for PT programs on maximal serve velocity (ES = 0.75; p < 0.0001). In terms of measures of physical performance, small to moderate (ES = 0.43-0.88; p = 0.046 to < 0.001) effects were noted for sprint speed, lower extremity muscle power, and agility. While no significant and small effect was noted for lower extremity muscle strength (ES = 0.30; p = 0.115). We found no definitive evidence that PT changed other parameters (i.e., serve accuracy, upper extremity power and strength, reaction time, and aerobic endurance). Based on GRADE, the certainty of evidence across the included studies varied from very low to moderate. Conclusion: PT may improve maximal serve velocity and physical performance components (sprint speed, lower extremity muscular power, and agility) for healthy tennis players; however, more high-quality evidence about the effects of PT on the skill and physical performance of tennis players merits further investigation. Systematic Review Registration: [https://inplasy.com/], identifier [INPLASY202250146].

2022 Bern Consensus Statement on Shoulder Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Return to Sport for Athletes at All Participation Levels

There is an absence of high-quality evidence to support rehabilitation and return-to-sport decisions following shoulder injuries in athletes. The Athlete Shoulder Consensus Group was convened to lead a consensus process that aimed to produce best-practice guidance for clinicians, athletes, and coaches for managing shoulder injuries in sport. We developed the consensus via a 2-round Delphi process (involving more than 40 content and methods experts) and an in-person meeting. This consensus statement provides guidance with respect to load and risk management, supporting athlete shoulder rehabilitation, and decision making during the return-to-sport process. This statement is designed to offer clinicians the flexibility to apply principle-based approaches to managing the return-to-sport process within a variety of sporting backgrounds. The principles and consensus of experts working across multiple sports may provide a template for developing additional sport-specific guidance in the future. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2022;52(1):11-28. doi:10.2519/jospt.2022.10952.

Effect of Plyometric Training on Sport Performance in Adolescent Overhead Athletes: A Systematic Review

CONTEXT

Plyometric training has been shown to be beneficial in adolescent overhead athletes. However, existing research on the effects of plyometrics on sport performance has been limited.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review the current literature to investigate whether plyometric training intervention improves upper- and lower-body sport performance.

DATA SOURCES

Two electronic databases (MEDLINE and Web of Science) were searched using specific Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms up to February 2019, and hand-searching was performed by looking to relevant studies that were cited in other studies.

STUDY SELECTION

A total of 932 items were identified and were further assessed for the eligibility in the systematic review. For a study to be eligible, each of the following inclusion criteria had to be met: (1) participants were aged 13 to 18 years and selected from a sports or athletic population and the study (2) involved the evaluation of a plyometric training intervention with an aim to improve sports performance; (3) must have included a control intervention and/or control group; (4) included a quantitative objective measure of sport performance variables concerning throwing, jumping, running, and sprinting; and (5) was published in English.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 3.

DATA EXTRACTION

A first screening was conducted based on title and abstract of the articles. In the second screening, the full text of the remaining articles was evaluated for the fulfillment of the inclusion criteria.

RESULTS

A total of 14 studies were included in this review. The methodological quality of the included studies ranged from low to moderate. There is moderate evidence that plyometric training intervention improves throwing and jumping performances. There is also preliminary evidence that plyometric training intervention improves sprint performance.

CONCLUSION

The current evidence suggests that sport performance consisting of throwing capacity, jumping ability, and sprint performance significantly improved due to plyometric training interventions in adolescent overhead athletes.

Adaptations of the Upper Body to Plyometric Training in Cricket Players of Different Age Groups

CONTEXT

Neuromuscular adaptations following exercise training are believed to enhance sports performance. While abundant research is available on adaptations of the lower body to plyometric training, little is known about adaptations of the upper body to plyometric training.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effect of plyometric training on neuromuscular adaptations in cricket players of different age groups.

DESIGN

Randomized parallel group active-controlled trial.

SETTING

Research laboratory, school cricket ground, and sports complex field.

PARTICIPANTS

Fifty-nine cricket players were randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group.

INTERVENTIONS

The experimental group was subjected to 8 weeks of medicine ball plyometric training held thrice per week. Neuromuscular adaptations were analyzed pretraining and posttraining in 3 age groups: <18, 18-25, and >25 years. Analysis of variance was used to ascertain the training effects between and within the 6 subgroups, that is, age group <18 years (control and experimental), age group 18-25 years (control and experimental), and age group >25 years (control and experimental).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Muscle activation, upper body balance, upper body power, and muscle strength.

RESULTS

Out of 59, 55 participants completed the study. Subjects aged <18 years (adolescents) showed significantly greater improvements than those from the groups 18-25 years and >25 years (adults) on upper body balance and upper body power. Significant improvements were observed in the experimental subjects of all age groups on their muscle activity of biceps brachii, upper body balance, and upper body power following medicine ball plyometric training.

CONCLUSIONS

Though adolescent subjects were found to be more adaptive than adult subjects, experimental subjects showed significantly greater neuromuscular adaptations to medicine ball plyometric training than controls. These findings emphasize the need for coaches and athletic trainers to inculcate medicine ball plyometric exercises in training regimes of cricket players so as to improve their upper body performance.

Effects of medicine ball mass on the intensity of 90°/90° plyometric throwing exercise

OBJECTIVES

To quantify the effects of medicine ball mass (1 kg, 1.5 kg, 2 kg) on the intensity of 90°/90° plyometric throwing exercise.

STUDY DESIGN

Controlled laboratory study.

SETTING

Biomechanics laboratory.

PARTICIPANTS

Fifteen physically active collegiate aged men.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Kinematics of the upper extremity were collected during completion of eight to ten repetitions of 90°/90° plyometric throwing exercise with three different mass medicine balls. Four parameters, medicine ball release and contact momentum, time-to-rebound, and contact time, were computed for each selected repetition and used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Ball mass did not significantly influence time-to-rebound (P = .718) and had a small (less than 0.05s) effect on ball contact time (P = .039). Ball release momentum was significantly greater (P < .001, 67-123% greater) than ball contact momentum. Medicine ball mass significantly increased both ball release (34-35%) and ball contact (45-67%) momentum however the effect was significantly greater for ball release momentum (P = .005).

CONCLUSIONS

These results document the effects of increasing medicine ball mass during 90°/90° plyometric throwing exercise and provide evidence for designing upper extremity plyometric training programs. Based on ball contact momentum being less than ball release momentum, as well as ball mass having greater influence on ball release velocity, we suggest that 90°/90° plyometric throwing exercise is a safe exercise.

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 (a) described a lower body PLY intervention lasting ≥4 weeks; (b) included measures of jumping, sprint, and/or lower body muscle strength; (c) included healthy individuals ≥18 years; (d) included a training or non-training control group; and (e) 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

A total of 826 records were identified of which 25 fulfilled the inclusion criteria, yielding 19, 11, and seven 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.

Resistance training and modulation of cardiac autonomic control in animal models: a systematic review

The purpose of the present review is to systematically evaluate the existing literature on the effects of resistance training (RT) on cardiac autonomic control in animal models. Electronic search was conducted in Pubmed, PEDro and Scopus databases from inception till June 2018. Randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental trials which investigated the effects of RT (for at least 4 weeks) on cardiac autonomic control (assessed either by heart rate variability, baroreflex sensitivity or post-exercise heart rate recovery) in animal models were included. Out of the total 3,442 studies retrieved by the electronic search, 9 were found to be suitable as per the eligibility criteria and were included in this review. The majority of these studies (6 out of 9) demonstrated improvement in cardiovascular autonomic control after RT in animals; however, three studies did not illustrate any significant change. Standardised mean differences (SMD) showed a significant effect of RT on root mean square of successive differences between adjacent inter-beat (R-R) intervals (RMSSD) [SMD (confidence interval (CI)) = 4.56 (2.89, 6.23); P<0.0001] and bradycardic response to change in arterial blood pressure [SMD (CI)=-2.27 (-4.50, -0.03; P=0.05)] whereas no significant change was observed for other variables of cardiac autonomic control post-RT. The present systematic review do not give a clear conclusion regarding the effect of RT on cardiac autonomic control in animal models and thus highlight the need for good quality research in future.