Effects of neuromuscular training on athletes physical fitness in sports: A systematic review

Effects of Different Exercise Training on Physical Fitness and Technical Skills in Handball Players. A Systematic Review

ABSTRACT

Akbar, S, Kim Geok, S, Bashir, M, Jazaily Bin Mohd, NN, Luo, S, and He, S. Effects of different exercise training on physical fitness and technical skills in handball players. A systematic review. J Strength Cond Res 38(11): e695-e705, 2024-This review aimed to assess the effects of exercise training on handball players' performance. A thorough search was conducted in 5 online databases (ProQuest, PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, and EBSCOhost (SPORTDiscus), as well as on Google Scholar and other gray literature references starting on April 11, 2022. The methodological quality of the included research was evaluated using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale. This systematic review includes 16 studies. Eight studies received "excellent" ratings (≥6 points), 5 received "good" ratings (5 points), and 3 received "moderate" ratings (4 points). The findings showed that the most frequently examined performance factors in exercise training intervention strategies with handball players were balance ( n = 5), agility ( n = 8), speed ( n = 9), and jumping performance ( n = 10). Muscular strength ( n = 4), shooting and dribbling skill ( n = 3), and muscular endurance ( n = 4) were the second most frequently investigated performance factors. Regarding speed and agility, exercise training considerably improved the physical fitness of handball players. However, evidence related to muscular strength, shooting ability, and dribbling skills was limited. To achieve the optimum standard, handball players must have strong physical and physiological qualities. Meanwhile, no evidence was found related to the impacts of exercise training on power, endurance, flexibility, body composition, cardiovascular fitness, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Regarding limitations, there is a need for more research with solid evidence to determine the impacts of exercise training interventions on athletes' performance in handball.

Impact of three weeks of integrative neuromuscular training on the athletic performance of elite female boxers

Objectives

To investigate the effects of integrative neuromuscular training (INT) on the athletic performance of elite female boxers.

Methods

A before-and-after controlled experiment was conducted on 37 elite Chinese female boxers (Age: 26.00 ± 3.11 years). All included athletes have competed at the international level. The INT intervention was administered 11 times per week for 3 weeks. This training includes strength training, explosive training, core stability, agility exercises, high intensity intervals and sprint intervals. Basic physical fitness tests, including the deep squat and bench press one-repetition maximum (1RM), vertical long jump, 30 m sprint run, 400 m run, 3,000 m run, 1-minute hexagonal jump, and 3-minute double shake; as well as specialized striking ability tests, including single-punch striking and 10-second, 30-second, and 3-minute continuous punching, were conducted before and after the intervention.

Results

Compared with pre-intervention baseline data, significant differences were found in the athletes' post-intervention baseline physical fitness, including squat and beach press (1RM), vertical jump, 30 m sprint run, 400 m run, 3,000 m run, 1-minute hexagonal jump, and 3-minute double shake (p < 0.05). Additionally, 10-second, 30-second, and 3-minute continuous punching were significantly different compared with pre-intervention (p < 0.05). However, no significant differences were found in single punch power (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

The 3-week INT can significantly improve the maximum strength, vertical explosive power, linear acceleration, agility, and continuous punching abilities of Chinese elite female boxers. The use of INT in physical training may enhance their athletic performance.

Six Weeks to Wellness: The Role of Breathing Exercises Based on Motor Development Pattern in Improving Fitness and Quality of Life in Overweight Elderly Women

Background: Being overweight is a major global health epidemic of the 20th and 21st centuries, which can affect the movement system function of older adult women. This study evaluated the effects of a breathing exercise based on motor development patterns on functional fitness and quality of life in overweight older adult women. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 40 community-dwelling women aged 65-75. Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group, which completed a 6-week breathing exercise program (three supervised and three home-based sessions per week), or a control group, which maintained usual routines. Outcome measures included cardiovascular fitness, upper and lower body flexibility, muscle strength, dynamic balance, and quality of life, assessed at baseline and post-intervention. Results: The intervention group showed significant improvements in cardiovascular fitness (p < .001, ES = 0.652), upper body flexibility (p < .001, ES = 0.652), lower body flexibility (p < .001, ES = 0.538), upper body strength (p < .001, ES = 0.538), lower body strength (p < .001, ES = 0.538), and dynamic balance (p < .001, ES = 0.475) compared to the control group. Quality of life also significantly improved in the intervention group (p < .001, ES = 0.475). Conclusion: Breathing exercises based on motor development patterns significantly enhance functional fitness and quality of life in overweight older adult women. Incorporating these exercises into regular physical activity routines may promote health and independence in older adults. Further research should explore long-term benefits and optimal exercise parameters for older adults.

Differential neural mechanisms for movement adaptations following neuromuscular training in young female athletes with a history of sports-related concussion

Sports-related concussion (SRC) in adolescent athletes is associated with an increased risk of subsequent lower extremity injury. Neuromuscular training (NMT) has shown promise for reducing lower extremity injuries following SRC, however, neural adaptations in response to changes in lower extremity biomechanics following NMT in athletes with a history of SRC (HxSRC) remains poorly understood. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify changes in neural activity associated with lower extremity movement adaptations following a six-week NMT intervention in athletes with a HxSRC. Thirty-two right-hand/foot-dominant female adolescent athletes (16 with self-reported HxSRC, 16 age- and anthropometrically-matched controls) completed a bilateral leg press task with 3D motion analysis during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Movement adaptations were defined as a change in frontal and sagittal plane range of motion (ROM) during the fMRI bilateral leg press task. Significant pre- to post-NMT reductions were observed in the non-dominant (left) mean frontal plane ROM. Whole-brain neural correlate analysis revealed that increased cerebellar activity was significantly associated with reduced mean left-knee frontal ROM for matched controls. Exploratory within group analyses identified neural correlates in the postcentral gyrus for the HxSRC group which was associated with reduced mean left-knee frontal plane ROM. These distinct longitudinal changes provide preliminary evidence of differential neural activity associated with NMT to support knee frontal plane control in athletes with and without a HxSRC.

Enhancing Physical Fitness in Elite Field Hockey Players with A Twelve-Week Functional Training Program: A Cluster Randomized Control Trial

This study aimed to explore the impact of functional training on the physical fitness of young elite field hockey players. The study comprised 40 young elite male field hockey players with the following characteristics (mean ± SD age: 21.5 ± 0.8 years; height: 176.9 ± 2.6 cm; weight: 68.4 ± 5.1 kg; BMI: 21.8 ± 1.3; training experience: 51.2 ± 5.4 months). Twenty participants were allocated to two groups: the functional training group (FTG) and the control training group (CG). Each group received 60-minute training sessions three times per week for 12 weeks. Generalized estimating equation analysis and a Bonferroni test for pairwise comparisons were used to assess the intervention's efficacy. Before the start of the exercise program, no statistically significant differences were observed in physical fitness measures between the FTG and CG (p > 0.05). However, by the sixth week, a significant difference appeared in both the T-Agility test (p < 0.001) and endurance (p = 0.024) between the two groups, while no notable distinctions were detected in other fitness parameters (p > 0.05). After a 12-week training program, the FTG demonstrated improvements in all physical fitness measures [flexibility (p < 0.001); Illinois agility test (p < 0.001); T-agility test (p = 0.020); endurance (p < 0.001)] except speed, which exhibited no significant impact (p = 0.175). Notable enhancements in T-agility and endurance were evident after just six weeks of functional training, and a 12-week functional training regimen showed superiority over standard training approaches in young elite male field hockey players. These findings encourage the efficacy of functional training exercises over traditional methods in enhancing athletes' fitness parameters.

Can tests of physical fitness predict traumatic knee injury in youth female athletes? A prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES

To compile a battery of test including various aspects of physical fitness that could be used on the field and to assess whether any of these tests are associated with future traumatic knee injuries in youth female team sports athletes.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort.

SETTING

Sport setting.

PARTICIPANTS

Female athletes (n = 117, age 15-19 years), from Swedish sport high schools, active in soccer, handball, or floorball.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Differences in pre-injury tests values of 11 physical fitness tests in injured versus non-injured athletes, assessed as number of traumatic knee injuries over one season.

RESULTS

28 athletes sustained 34 traumatic knee injuries. Athletes who sustained an injury had a shorter distance on the Yo-Yo IR1 test at baseline than those without an injury (mean difference -193 m, CI -293- -65 m). None of the other tests, assessed for muscular strength, endurance, power, flexibility and dynamic knee valgus, differed between injured and non-injured athletes.

CONCLUSIONS

Youth female athletes with lower intermittent endurance capacity, assessed with the Yo-Yo IR1, seemed to be at greater risk of traumatic knee injury. Neither hop performance, flexibility, dynamic knee valgus nor isolated strength tests at baseline could distinguish between injured and non-injured youth female athletes at follow-up.

Effects of neuromuscular training on dynamic balance ability in athletes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives

This study aimed to quantitatively analyze the effects of neuromuscular training (NMT) on dynamic balance in healthy athletes through a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Methods

Searches on six databases for randomized controlled trials examining the impact of NMT on athletes' balance ability. The search period extended from the inception of the database to March 16, 2024, languages are limited to Chinese and English. Review Manager 5.1 was used for literature quality assessment and data analysis. Stata 15.0 software was used for assessing publication bias, employing the clipping method, and conducting sensitivity analysis. The Grading of recommendations assessment development and evaluation (GRADE) was used to assess the certainty of evidence. Effect size (ES) was used to evaluate the impact effect of the results.

Results

(1) Meta-analysis: A total of 7 papers met the inclusion criteria, and the meta-analysis indicated that NMT had a positive impact on the dynamic balance ability of the right (SMD = 0.74) and left (SMD = 0.70) lower limb of athletes, and a statistically significant difference was observed (p < 0.01). Subgroup analysis revealed that NMT did not have a positive effect (p > 0.05) on the right anterior (SMD = 0.35); However, it had a positive effect (p < 0.05) on the right posteromedial (SMD = 1.22), right posterolateral (SMD = 0.82), right composite score (SMD = 0.79), left anterior (SMD = 0.38), left posteromedial (SMD = 1.19), left posterolateral (SMD = 0.57) and left composite score (SMD = 0.86). (2) Reporting bias: Funnel plot indicated evidence of publication bias, but there was no significant asymmetry in the funnel plot after trimming and filling. The results were not reversed, indicating the robustness of the combined results. (3) Sensitivity analysis: The results of the sensitivity analysis suggest that the data in this meta-analysis are relatively stable and credible. (4) Grading the evidence: Based on GRADE scale the certainty of evidence from the included studies was determined to be moderate.

Conclusion

Neuromuscular training can enhance the dynamic balance ability of athletes on both the left and right sides. Therefore, neuromuscular training is an effective method for enhancing the unilateral dynamic balance ability of athletes.

Sure Steps: Key Strategies for Protecting Basketball Players from Injuries-A Systematic Review

Background: Basketball is a high-intensity sport, which includes actions such as jumping, changes of direction, accelerations, and decelerations, which generates fatigue situations that may increase the risk of injury. Specifically, the joints at greatest risk are the ankle and knee, with ankle sprains and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears being the most prevalent injuries. There are several strategies aimed at reducing the incidence, based on training methods or other prophylactic measures. Therefore, the purpose of the study is to perform a systematic review of the different injury prevention strategies in competitive-level basketball players with respect to general injuries, ankle sprains, and ACL injuries. Methods: For this purpose, the PRISMA methodology was applied, performing a search in three databases (PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Cochrane) between 25 September 2023 and 8 October 2023. Results: A total of 964 articles were identified, out of which 283 were duplicates and 644 were discarded. Out of the remaining 37, 23 were excluded because they did not meet the inclusion criteria; therefore, 14 articles were finally included. With respect to general injuries, 8 out of 14 studies reviewed them. Concerning ankle sprains, 7 studies specifically analyzed them. Finally, 3 studies focused on ACL injuries. Conclusions: Training programs that combine different contents, known as neuromuscular training, including strength work, stabilization or core, mobility, and agility are the most effective for both general injuries and ACL injuries. For ankle sprains, the most effective measures are training programs based on analytical ankle stability exercises and the use of ankle braces. Adherence to prevention programs is essential, so they can be included as part of the warm-up. Other strategies such as training load control, functional assessment, or rule modification are not used in the included articles, so their effectiveness as prophylactic methods could not be justified.

6'-Sialyllactose Enhances Exercise Performance via Increased Muscle Mass and Strength

Sialyllactose (SL) is a functional human milk oligosaccharide essential for immune support, brain development, intestinal maturation, and antiviral defense. However, despite its established health benefits, the effect of SL on exercise performance and muscle mass in mice remains unknown. Here, we aimed to investigate, for the first time, the effects of 6'-SL on muscle functions. Seven-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were administered 100 mg/kg 6'-SL for 12 weeks, after which exhaustive treadmill performance was conducted. Moreover, muscle strength was examined by grip strength, and muscle phenotype characteristics such as muscle mass, muscle fiber size, and muscle protein expression were also examined. The administration of 6'-SL significantly improved exhaustive treadmill performance metrics, including distance and exhaustion time. Grip strength was also increased by 6'-SL administration. Additionally, 6'-SL increased muscle mass in both the gastrocnemius (GAS) and soleus. 6'-SL administration led to an increase in the minimum Feret's diameter and the protein expression of total myosin heavy chain in the GAS muscle. In conclusion, 6'-SL administration in vivo led to increased running distance and time by increasing muscle mass and strength. These findings collectively indicate that 6'-SL is a potential agent for improving muscle health and exercise performance.

Treating Dystonia in a Soccer Player Through an Integrated Rehabilitative Approach: A Case Report

CONTEXT

Sport-related dystonia is a rare form of activity-specific dystonia that can severely impair an athlete's ability to perform. Due to a lack of data on the condition, it is difficult to diagnose and often overlooked, and no gold standard treatment has yet been defined.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present a rare and challenging case of sport-related dystonia that affected a 24-year-old male professional soccer player. The patient presented with severe rigidity and dystonia of the right lower-extremity, particularly the ankle and foot. The symptoms set on >1 year prior to the presentation to our outpatient clinic. He began to complain of stiffness and difficulty moving his lower limbs, especially his right leg, initially when playing soccer, but then also when walking normally. On presentation, he was unable to run and walked with difficulty, supporting his body weight only on the outside of his right foot. He also reported a motor trick and reverse motor trick involving the oral musculature in order to move his lower limb more freely.

MANAGEMENT AND OUTCOMES

An integrated rehabilitation approach based on postural rehabilitation, neuromuscular rehabilitation, and dental intervention was used to successfully treat this condition. The approach included: (1) postural rehabilitation with the Mézières-Bertelè method to reduce muscular stiffness, (2) neuromuscular re-education with Tai Chi exercises and electromyography-guided biofeedback, and (3) dental intervention and swallowing rehabilitation to limit impaired oral habits (due to the relationship between his impaired lower limb movements and motor tricks of the oral musculature). After 7 months of integrated rehabilitation, the patient returned to professional soccer.

CONCLUSIONS

This case report highlights the potential efficacy of an integrative rehabilitation approach for sports dystonia, particularly in cases where traditional treatments may not be effective. Such an approach could be considered a valuable option in the management of this rare, but debilitating, condition in athletes. Further research is needed to assess the effectiveness of this approach in larger populations.

A Single-Center, Observational Study Assessing Functional Outcomes After Arthroscopic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Suspensory Tibial Fixation With a Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK) Button

Background Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is a crucial procedure in orthopedic surgery. This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of ACLR employing suspensory tibial fixation with a polyether ether ketone (PEEK) button. Methodology This retrospective observational study conducted at Sai Shree Hospital, Pune, India, between November 2023 and December 2023 enrolled 47 subjects aged 18-60 years who underwent arthroscopic ACLR utilizing the T-Button-A Adjustable Loop Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene Suture PEEK button. The functional outcomes and patient-reported outcomes were assessed using the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, the Modified Cincinnati Rating System Questionnaire (MCRS), the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) score, the Tegner Activity Level (TAL) Scale, and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) quality of life subscale. Results Femoral fixation utilized 27 (57.4%) Proloop Ultra Adjustable Loop Button 60 mm, 19 (40.4%) Infiloop Fixed Loop Button 20 mm, and 1 (2.1%) Infiloop Fixed Loop Button 30 mm. Tibial fixation solely relied on T-Button A (PEEK Tibial Button With Adjustable Loop 90 mm). Postoperative evaluations revealed favorable IKDC (79.49 ± 12.67), MCRS (81.32 ± 11.57), SANE (77.83 ± 11.11), TAL Scale (3.87 ± 0.99) and KOOS quality of life subscale (83.81 ± 13.07) scores. Conclusions The findings affirm the efficacy and safety of arthroscopic ACLR utilizing suspensory tibial fixation with the PEEK button, supporting its use for improved patient outcomes.

Impact of neuromuscular training including balance, strength and plyometric exercises on static and dynamic balance in high-level male runners with mild intellectual disability

BACKGROUND

This study aims to investigate the impact of neuromuscular training (NMT) on static and dynamic postural balance (PB) among high-level male runners with intellectual disability.

METHOD

Twenty-seven runners were randomly assigned to a NMT group and a control group who maintained their conventional training. Static and dynamic PB were assessed using the centre of pressure (CoP) excursions (in bipedal and unipedal stances under open eyes (OE) and closed eyes (CE) conditions) and the star excursion balance test (SEBT), respectively, at pre-training and post-training.

RESULTS

The NMT group showed significantly (p < 0.05) decreased CoP values and increased SEBT scores at post-training compared to pre-training. The switch from OE to CE did not affect static PB in the bipedal stance, only in the NMT group.

CONCLUSIONS

The NMT was effective in improving static and dynamic PB in runners with intellectual disability. The NMT could reduce visual dependency.

Team Approach: Neuromuscular Training for Primary and Secondary Prevention of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury

Neuromuscular training is a method of performance optimization-typically combining plyometrics, balancing training, agility, and dynamic stabilization-predicated on improving the efficiency of fundamental movement patterns. Neuromuscular training has consistently been shown to reduce the risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury, particularly for athletes engaged in activities associated with noncontact knee injuries (i.e., women's soccer). Successful implementation of neuromuscular training programs requires input from coaches, physical therapists, athletic trainers, and physicians to generate efficacious programs with high rates of adherence.

Effectiveness of backward gait training on body composition, cardiopulmonary fitness, inflammation, and metabolic marker in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Walking is a fundamental physical activity with significant health implications. Backward gait training (BGT) has emerged as a novel approach with potential benefits, yet its effects in comparison to traditional forward gait training (FGT) remain uncertain. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of BGT on body composition, cardiopulmonary fitness, and inflammatory and metabolic markers in adults. A comprehensive search across electronic databases was conducted following the Preferred Publishing Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing BGT with FGT in adults were included. Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. The certainty of evidence was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. The analysis included a total of 379 male participants across the studies. The meta-analysis demonstrated significant changes in body composition and inflammatory marker outcomes, which included waist-to-height ratio (standardized mean difference [SMD]-1.18, 95% confidence interval [CI]-1.89-0.48, I2 = 83%, P < 0.01), body mass index (SMD-0.55, 95% CI-0.77-0.32, I2= 0%, P < 0.01), and C-reactive protein (SMD-0.98, 95% CI-1.28-0.70, I2= 0%, P < 0.01). In addition, the qualitative review revealed potential enhancements in cardiopulmonary fitness and metabolic markers following BGT. While the results suggest potential benefits of BGT on body composition and inflammatory markers, the evidence remains limited and heterogeneous. Further robust research with diverse populations, longer intervention periods, and comprehensive outcome assessments is essential to elucidate the true impact of BGT and its utility for promoting overall health and well-being in adults.

The usefulness of Integrative Neuromuscular Training to counteract obesity: a narrative review

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The association between physical activity and diet has a valuable impact in weight status management to counteract obesity. In this context, within different training strategies (i.e., endurance, resistance training, concurrent training, agility training) the Integrative Neuromuscular Training (INT) represents a structured training mode focused on global human movement pattern development with the aim to enhance motor control, mobility and stability. In this narrative review we aimed to discuss the feasibility of INT interventions on physical fitness and body composition outcomes in individuals with obesity.

SUBJECTS

Medline/PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Google Scholar including were searched before 1st February 2023 without restrictions on publication year.

METHODS

Two researchers extracted data from published trials. Randomized controlled trials or clinical trials, Body Mass Index of children and adolescents at the 95% percentile or greater, and for adults to be above 30 kg/m2, detailed intervention description, randomization process and allocation into an experimental or a control group, trials must have been written in English, were included.

RESULTS

We included a total of 19 studies complying with the inclusion criteria for the review process. There is evidence that INT promotes positive adaptations in fitness levels in both younger and older participants with concomitant ameliorations during a shorter, medium and longer time period. Moreover, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, balance, postural control and body composition reached significant remarkable improvements following a specific intervention based on INT principles compared to other training mode. However, Body Mass Index, fat mass percentage and waist circumference showed similar changes overtime.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, these findings support the effectiveness of INT in ameliorating physical fitness (i.e., health-related and skill related components) without negative changes in body composition. Nevertheless, fitness coaches and therapists may consider this training modality a feasible option when prescribing physical exercise in outpatients with obesity.

Effects of physical training programs on female tennis players' performance: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Tennis is among the world's most popular and well-studied sports. Physical training has commonly been used as an intervention among athletes. However, a comprehensive review of the literature on the effects of physical training programs on female tennis players' performance is lacking. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the effects of physical training on performance outcomes in female tennis players. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted on Web of Science, PubMed, SPORTDicus, Scopus, and CNKI from inception until July 2023 to select relevant articles from the accessible literature. Only controlled trials were included if they examined the effects of physical training on at least one measure of tennis-specific performance in female tennis players. The Cochrane RoB tool was employed to assess the risk of bias. The CERT scale was used to examine the quality of program information. The GRADE approach was adopted to evaluate the overall quality of the evidence. The Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software was used for the meta-analysis. Results: Nine studies were selected for the systematic review and seven for the meta-analysis, totaling 222 individuals. The study's exercise programs lasted 6-36 weeks, with training sessions ranging from 30 to 80 min, conducted one to five times per week. Muscle power (ES = 0.72; p = 0.003), muscle strength (ES = 0.65; p = 0.002), agility (ES = 0.69; p = 0.002), serve velocity (ES = 0.72; p = 0.013), and serve accuracy (ES = 1.14; p = 0.002) demonstrated significant improvement following physical training, while no notable changes in linear sprint speed (ES = 0.63; p = 0.07) were detected. Conclusion: Although research on physical training in sports is diversified, studies on training interventions among female tennis players are scarce. This review found that existing training programs yield some favorable outcomes for female tennis players. However, further research with high methodological quality is warranted on the tailoring of specific training programs for female tennis players. There should be more consistent measuring and reporting of data to facilitate meaningful data pooling for future meta-analyses.

Effects of functional training on sprinting, jumping, and functional movement in athletes: A systematic review

This systematic review aims to illuminate the effects of functional training on sprinting, jumping, and functional movements in athletes. A systematic search of electronic databases-that include PubMed, EBSCOhost (Sport Discus), SCOPUS, ProQuest, Google Scholar, and additional references-was carried out using keywords associated with functional training, jumping, sprinting, functional movement skills, and athletes, in compliance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement criteria. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale was used to measure the methodological quality of the studies included in the systematic review. Results: From a total of 220 studies, 15 included ones met all eligibility criteria and were scored between 4-5 points-considered as" moderate quality"-by the PEDro scale. Most studies recorded positive effects of functional training on athletes' sprinting, jumping, and functional movement. In contrast, a small number of studies did not find any positive effects of functional training on sprinting, squat jump, vertical jump, and countermovement jump due to the short duration and frequency of the training, as well as the lack of additional exercises that come with the interventions. Furthermore, the reviewed studies reveal that there is limited research within the literature on 5, 15, 25, and 50 m sprinting, squat jump, quadrant jump, and functional movement in athletes. Conclusion: Although the length of training interventions varied across studies in this systematic review, functional training interventions were found to help improve athletes' performance. The review reveals that training duration, intensity, and frequency are some critical variables that need to be taken into account when developing a successful functional training intervention for athletes. More studies are required to evaluate the influence of different accessible functional training durations on athletes' sprinting, jumping performance, and functional movement. Finally, further research needs to be done to investigate the impacts of functional training on performance and movement skills of male and female athletes at all levels in other sports. Systematic Review Registration: https://inplasy.com/inplasy-2022-5-0130/, identifier INPLASY202250130.