The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of complex training (CT) on sprint, jump, and change of direction (COD) ability among soccer players. After an electronic search, 10 ...peer-reviewed articles were considered in the meta-analysis. The athletes included in this meta-analysis were amateur to professional level male soccer players (age range, 14-23 years). These studies incorporated CT in soccer players who were compared to a control group. Significant moderate to large improvements were observed in the CT group sprint: standard mean difference (SMD) = 0.92-1.91; jump: SMD = 0.96-1.58; COD: SMD = 0.97-1.49 when compared to control groups. Subgroup analysis were also conducted based on age, duration, and competitive level. The beneficial effects of CT were greater in players <18 vs. ≥18 years (linear sprinting; SMD = 2.01 vs. -0.13), after ≥8 vs. <8 weeks (jumping and COD; SMD = 1.55-2.01 vs. 0.31-0.64, respectively) and among professional vs. amateur players (linear sprinting and with COD; SMD = 1.53-1.58 vs. 0.08-0.63, respectively). In conclusion, regular soccer training programs may be supplemented with CT to improve sprint, jump, and COD performance. A longer duration of CT (≥8 weeks) seems to be optimal in improving the physical abilities of soccer players. Professional players and <18 years players may benefit more from CT program.
The aim of this scoping review was a) to update a previous review on the main methodological characteristics and shortcomings in the plyometric jump training (PJT) literature, and b) to recommend, in ...light of the identified methodological gaps, future research perspectives. We searched four electronic databases. From 6128 potentially relevant articles, 420 were considered eligible for inclusion. As an update of a previous review, this represents an increase of ~200 articles, illustrating that this field of research is growing fast. However, the relative “quality” or shortcomings were similar when compared to the preceding scoping review. In the current article, the main identified shortcomings were an insufficient number of studies conducted with females, individual sports, and high‐level athletes (~22%, ~7%, and ~14% of overall studies, respectively); insufficient description of training prescription (~54% of studies); and studies missing an active/passive control group and a randomized group allocation process (~37% and ~24% of overall studies, respectively). Furthermore, PJT was often combined with other training methods and added to the participants’ regular training routines (~50% and ~35% of overall studies, respectively). The main outcomes of this scoping review urge researchers to conduct PJT studies of high methodological quality (eg, randomized controlled trials) to get trustworthy evidence‐based knowledge. In addition, owing to the limited research conducted with females, individual sports, and high‐level athletes, more studies are needed to substantiate the available findings. Finally, the identification of cohort‐specific PJT dose‐response relations which elicit optimal training effects still needs to be identified, particularly in the long term.
•Plyometric jump training improves jumping performance, linear sprint speed, change-of-direction speed, balance, and muscle strength in basketball players, regardless of sex and age.•Programmable ...training variables such as plyometric jump training program duration, session frequency, and total number of sessions do not moderate the beneficial effects of plyometric jump training on physical fitness attributes in basketball players.•Greater improvements in horizontal jump distance, linear sprint speed, and change-of-direction speed were evident among older (>16.3 years) compared to younger basketball players (≤16.3 years).
There is a growing body of experimental evidence examining the effects of plyometric jump training (PJT) on physical fitness attributes in basketball players; however, this evidence has not yet been comprehensively and systematically aggregated. Therefore, our objective was to meta-analyze the effects of PJT on physical fitness attributes in basketball players, in comparison to a control condition.
A systematic literature search was conducted in the databases PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, up to July 2020. Peer-reviewed controlled trials with baseline and follow-up measurements investigating the effects of PJT on physical fitness attributes (muscle power, i.e., jumping performance, linear sprint speed, change-of-direction speed, balance, and muscle strength) in basketball players, with no restrictions on their playing level, sex, or age. Hedge's g effect sizes (ES) were calculated for physical fitness variables. Using a random-effects model, potential sources of heterogeneity were selected, including subgroup analyses (age, sex, body mass, and height) and single training factor analysis (program duration, training frequency, and total number of training sessions). Computation of meta-regression was also performed.
Thirty-two studies were included, involving 818 total basketball players. Significant (p < 0.05) small-to-large effects of PJT were evident on vertical jump power (ES = 0.45), countermovement jump height with (ES = 1.24) and without arm swing (ES = 0.88), squat jump height (ES = 0.80), drop jump height (ES = 0.53), horizontal jump distance (ES = 0.65), linear sprint time across distances ≤10 m (ES = 1.67) and >10 m (ES = 0.92), change-of-direction performance time across distances ≤40 m (ES = 1.15) and >40 m (ES = 1.02), dynamic (ES = 1.16) and static balance (ES = 1.48), and maximal strength (ES = 0.57). The meta-regression revealed that training duration, training frequency, and total number of sessions completed did not predict the effects of PJT on physical fitness attributes. Subgroup analysis indicated greater improvements in older compared to younger players in horizontal jump distance (>17.15 years, ES = 2.11; ≤17.15 years, ES = 0.10; p < 0.001), linear sprint time >10 m (>16.3 years, ES = 1.83; ≤16.3 years, ES = 0.36; p = 0.010), and change-of-direction performance time ≤40 m (>16.3 years, ES = 1.65; ≤16.3 years, ES = 0.75; p = 0.005). Greater increases in horizontal jump distance were apparent with >2 compared with ≤2 weekly PJT sessions (ES = 2.12 and ES = 0.39, respectively; p < 0.001).
Data from 32 studies (28 of which demonstrate moderate-to-high methodological quality) indicate PJT improves muscle power, linear sprint speed, change-of-direction speed, balance, and muscle strength in basketball players independent of sex, age, or PJT program variables. However, the beneficial effects of PJT as measured by horizontal jump distance, linear sprint time >10 m, and change-of-direction performance time ≤40 m, appear to be more evident among older basketball players.
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The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of vertical (VPT), horizontal (HPT) and combined vertical and horizontal (V+HPT) plyometric training on sprint, jump and change of direction (COD) ...performance in adult male soccer players.
Participants were randomly allocated into VPT (n = 8), HPT (n = 8) and V+HPT (n = 8) groups which undertook eight weeks of PT, executing 100 foot contacts per session, twice weekly.
Though demonstrably effective, no specific one of the three applied programmes enhanced performance to a greater extent than another with only the 40 m sprint for the HPT group (mean difference = 0.07 s HPT vs. 0.04 s VPT and 0.04 s V+HPT) and the vertical jump for the V+HPT group (mean difference = 4.5 cm V+HPT vs. 4.0 cm VPT and 3.25 cm HPT) appearing to deviate from a uniform pattern of group level adaptation across the performance tests.
A total volume of 100 foot contacts per session, twice per week for eight weeks was sufficient to achieve the observed changes. Though jump and changing direction performance were enhanced, linear sprint performance was largely unchanged and so a more complete and intense programme may have been warranted. No method was superior to another in eliciting changes across these tests and a directionally-specific pattern of adaptation was not apparent.
Moran, J, Sandercock, GRH, Ramírez-Campillo, R, Meylan, CMP, Collison, J, and Parry, DA. Age-related variation in male youth athletes' countermovement jump after plyometric training: A meta-analysis ...of controlled trials. J Strength Cond Res 31(2): 552-565, 2017-Recent debate on the trainability of youths has focused on the existence of periods of accelerated adaptation to training. Accordingly, the purpose of this meta-analysis was to identify the age- and maturation-related pattern of adaptive responses to plyometric training in youth athletes. Thirty effect sizes were calculated from the data of 21 sources with studies qualifying based on the following criteria: (a) healthy male athletes who were engaged in organized sport; (b) groups of participants with a mean age between 10 and 18 years; and (c) plyometric-training intervention duration between 4 and 16 weeks. Standardized mean differences showed plyometric training to be moderately effective in increasing countermovement jump (CMJ) height (Effect size = 0.73 95% confidence interval: 0.47-0.99) across PRE-, MID-, and POST-peak height velocity groups. Adaptive responses were of greater magnitude between the mean ages of 10 and 12.99 years (PRE) (ES = 0.91 95% confidence interval: 0.47-1.36) and 16 and 18 years (POST) (ES = 1.02 0.52-1.53). The magnitude of adaptation to plyometric training between the mean ages of 13 and 15.99 years (MID) was lower (ES = 0.47 0.16-0.77), despite greater training exposure. Power performance as measured by CMJ may be mediated by biological maturation. Coaches could manipulate training volume and modality during periods of lowered response to maximize performance.
The current UK physical activity guidelines recommend that adults aged 19 to 65 years perform activity to strengthen muscle and bone a minimum of twice weekly. The number of adults meeting ...strengthening activity guidelines is lower than for aerobic activity, but estimates vary between studies partly due to differences in how muscle-strengthening activity is defined. We aimed to provide estimates for strengthening activity prevalence in English adults based on a nationally representative sample of n = 253,423 18-65-year-olds. We attempted to quantify the variation in estimates attributable to differences in the way strengthening activity is defined. Finally, we aim to provide a brief descriptive epidemiology of the factors associated with strengthening activity. Adults met guidelines for aerobic activity if they reported the activity equivalent to >150 min/week moderate-intensity exercise. Respondents met strengthening guidelines if they reported at least two bouts per week of strengthening activity. We defined strengthening activity, first, according to criteria used in the Health Survey for England (HSE). Second, we counted bouts of strengthening activities for which we could find evidence of health-related benefits (Evidence). Third, we included bouts of strengthening activity as defined in current UK physical activity guidelines (Guideline). Two-thirds (67%) of adults met guidelines for aerobic activity (69% of men, 65% of women). Less than one-third (29% of men and 24% of women) met guidelines for the HSE definition of strengthening activity. Under the Evidence definition, 16% of men and 9% of women met strengthening guidelines. Using the most-stringent definition (Guideline) just 7.3% of men and 4.1% of women achieved the recommendations for strengthening activity. We found females and older adults (50-65 years) were less likely to meet guidelines for aerobic, strengthening, and combined aerobic plus strengthening activity. The prevalence of meeting activity guidelines was lower in adults from more deprived areas (compared with the least deprived); Adults with lower academic qualifications (Level 1) were less likely to meet activity guidelines than those educated to Level 4 (Degree Level) or higher. Having a limiting disability was associated with a lower prevalence of meeting activity guidelines. Associations between socio-demographic measures and the prevalence of adults meeting activity guidelines were stronger for strengthening activity than for aerobic 51(or combined aerobic plus strengthening) activity Compared with aerobic activity, fewer adults engage in strengthening activity regardless of how it is defined. The range in estimates for how many adults meet strengthening activity guidelines can be explained by variations in the definition of 'strengthening' that are used and the specific sports or activities identified as strengthening exercise. When strengthening activity is included, the proportion of English adults meeting current physical activity guidelines could be as high as 1 in 3 but possibly as low as just 1 in 20. A harmonized definition of strengthening activity, that is aligned with physical activity guidelines, is required to provide realistic and comparable prevalence estimates.
This randomised controlled trial examined the effect of an 8-week volume-equated programme of Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) training, executed at frequencies of 1- or 2-days per week, on fitness ...(10 m and 40 m sprint, '505' change of direction COD and standing long jump SLJ) in male youth soccer players (mean age: 16.4 ± 0.81 years).
Players were divided into an experimental group (n = 16) which was further subdivided into 1-day (n = 8) and 2-day (n = 8) per week training groups and a control group (n = 8).
There were significant group-by-time interactions for 10-m sprint (p<0.001, η2 = 0.120, d = 2.05 0.57 to 3.53), 40-m sprint (p = 0.001, η2 = 0.041, d = 1.09 -0.23 to 2.4) and COD (p = 0.002, η2 = 0.063, d = 1.25 -0.09 to 2.59). The experimental group demonstrated a 'very large' effect size (d = 3.02 1.5 to 4.54) in 10-m sprint, and 'large' effect sizes in 40-m sprint (d = 1.94 0.98 to 2.90) and COD (d = 1.84 0.85 to 2.83). The control group showed no significant changes. There were no significant differences between the 1-day and 2-day training groups. In three of the four tests (40 m, COD, SLJ) the 2-day group demonstrated larger effect sizes. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were significantly lower in the 2-day group (p<0.001, 3.46 1.83 to 5.04).
The NHE increases fitness in youth soccer players and there may be advantages to spreading training over two days instead of one.
We aimed to examine the effects of plyometric jump training (PJT) on measures of physical fitness in amateur and professional volleyball players. A systematic electronic literature search was carried ...out in the databases PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and SCOPUS. Controlled studies including pre-to-post intervention tests of physical fitness and involving healthy volleyball players regardless of age and sex were considered. A random-effects model was used to calculate effect sizes (ES) between intervention and control groups. Moderator analyses considered programme duration, training frequency, total number of training sessions and jumps, participants' sex, age, and expertise level. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale was used to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. Eighteen moderate-to-high quality (median of 5 PEDro points) studies were eligible, comprising a total of 746 athletes. None of the included studies reported injuries related to the PJT intervention. The main findings showed small-to-moderate effects (
< 0.05) of PJT on linear sprint speed (ES = 0.70), squat jump (ES = 0.56), countermovement jump (CMJ) (ES = 0.80), CMJ with arm swing (ES = 0.63), drop jump (ES = 0.81), and spike jump height (ES = 0.84). Sub-analyses of moderator factors included 48 data sets. Only age had a significant effect on CMJ performance. Participants aged ≥16 years achieved greater improvements in CMJ performance compared to <16 years old (ES = 1.28 and 0.38, respectively;
= 0.022). No significant differences (
= 0.422) were identified between amateur (ES = 0.62) and professional volleyball players (ES = 1.01). In conclusion, PJT seems safe and is effective in improving measures of physical fitness in amateur and professional volleyball players, considering studies performed in both male and female.
Purpose This randomised controlled trial examined the effect of an 8-week volume-equated programme of Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) training, executed at frequencies of 1- or 2-days per week, on ...fitness (10 m and 40 m sprint, ‘505’ change of direction COD and standing long jump SLJ) in male youth soccer players (mean age: 16.4 ± 0.81 years). Method Players were divided into an experimental group (n = 16) which was further subdivided into 1-day (n = 8) and 2-day (n = 8) per week training groups and a control group (n = 8). Results There were significant group-by-time interactions for 10-m sprint (p<0.001, η2 = 0.120, d = 2.05 0.57 to 3.53), 40-m sprint (p = 0.001, η2 = 0.041, d = 1.09 -0.23 to 2.4) and COD (p = 0.002, η2 = 0.063, d = 1.25 -0.09 to 2.59). The experimental group demonstrated a ‘very large’ effect size (d = 3.02 1.5 to 4.54) in 10-m sprint, and ‘large’ effect sizes in 40-m sprint (d = 1.94 0.98 to 2.90) and COD (d = 1.84 0.85 to 2.83). The control group showed no significant changes. There were no significant differences between the 1-day and 2-day training groups. In three of the four tests (40 m, COD, SLJ) the 2-day group demonstrated larger effect sizes. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were significantly lower in the 2-day group (p<0.001, 3.46 1.83 to 5.04). Conclusion The NHE increases fitness in youth soccer players and there may be advantages to spreading training over two days instead of one.
This study aimed to examine the effects of plyometric jump training (PJT) on lower-limb stiffness.
Systematic searches were conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. Study participants ...included healthy males and females who undertook a PJT programme isolated from any other training type.
There was a small effect size (ES) of PJT on lower-limb stiffness (ES = 0.33, 95% confidence interval (95%CI): 0.07–0.60, z = 2.47, p = 0.01). Untrained individuals exhibited a larger ES (ES = 0.46, 95%CI: 0.08–0.84, p = 0.02) than trained individuals (ES = 0.15, 95%CI: ‒0.23 to 0.53, p = 0.45). Interventions lasting a greater number of weeks (>7 weeks) had a larger ES (ES = 0.47, 95%CI: 0.06–0.88, p = 0.03) than those lasting fewer weeks (ES = 0.22, 95%CI: ‒0.12 to 0.55, p = 0.20). Programmes with ≤2 sessions per week exhibited a larger ES (ES = 0.39, 95%CI: 0.01–0.77, p = 0.04) than programmes that incorporated >2 sessions per week (ES = 0.20, 95%CI: –0.10 to 0.50, p = 0.18). Programmes with <250 jumps per week (ES = 0.50, 95%CI: 0.02–0.97, p = 0.04) showed a larger effect than programmes with 250–500 jumps per week (ES = 0.36, 95%CI: 0.00–0.72, p = 0.05). Programmes with >500 jumps per week had negative effects (ES = –0.22, 95%CI: –1.10 to 0.67, p = 0.63). Programmes with >7.5 jumps per set showed larger effect sizes (ES = 0.55, 95%CI: 0.02–1.08, p = 0.04) than those with <7.5 jumps per set (ES = 0.32, 95%CI: 0.01–0.62, p = 0.04).
PJT enhances lower-body stiffness, which can be optimised with lower volumes (<250 jumps per week) over a relatively long period of time (>7 weeks).
•Plyometric jump training can induce small, but statistically significant, increases in lower limb stiffness.•Plyometric jump training to enhance lower body stiffness can be optimised with lower volumes (<250 jumps per week) over a relatively long period of time (>7 weeks).•Stiffness adaptations appear to higher in untrained, compared to trained, participants.•To drive continued stiffness-related adaptations, coaches may have to place a greater emphasis on strain-inducing traditional resistance training than on plyometric jump training, in more advanced athletes.
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