The Effect of Combined Strength, Plyometric, and Sprint Training on Repeated Sprint Ability in Team-Sport Athletes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
1School of Athletic Performance, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China 2Key Laboratory of Sport Skill and Tactic Diagnosis and Analysis of General Administration of Sport of China, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China 3School of Sports Medicine and Health, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu, China 4Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences Institute. School of Physical Therapy. Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences. Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile 5Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Physical Activity Sciences, Universidad de Los Lagos, Osorno, Chile 6Physical Performance Sports Research Center (PPSRC), Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, Spain
Mingxin Zhang ✉ School of Athletic Performance, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China Email: zhangmingxin@sus.edu.cn
Received: 21-05-2024 -- Accepted: 10-08-2024 Published (online): 01-12-2024
ABSTRACT
Repeated sprint ability (RSA) is crucial for success in team sports, and involves both neuromuscular and metabolic factors. While single-mode training (SGL; e.g., sprint training) and combined training (CT; e.g., sprint + plyometric) can improve RSA, whether CT offers additional benefits compared to SGL or active controls maintaining routine training (CON) remains uncertain in team-sport athletes. This study evaluates the effect of CT versus SGL and CON on the RSA of team-sport athletes. A comprehensive search was conducted in five electronic databases. Thirteen studies involving 394 males and 28 females, aged 14 to 26 years, were included. The random effects model for meta-analyses revealed greater improvement in RSA mean after CT compared to SGL (Hedge's g effect size [g] = -0.46; 95 % confidence interval [CI]: -0.82, -0.10; p < 0.01) and CON (g = -1.39; 95% CI: -2.09, -0.70; p < 0.01). CT also improved RSA best compared to CON (g = -1.17; 95% CI: -1.58, -0.76; p < 0.01). The GRADE analyses revealed low- to very-low certainty of evidence in all meta-analyses. Subgroup analysis revealed that plyometric + sprint training yielded greater RSA mean (g = -1.46) and RSA best (g = -1.35) improvement than plyometric + resistance + sprint training and resistance + sprint training. The effects of CT on RSA did not differ according to age (≥ 18 vs. < 18), sports (e.g., soccer vs. basketball vs. handball), or RSA test type (linear sprint vs. sprint with change-of-direction). Studies showed an overall high risk of bias (ROB 2). In conclusion, CT may be improving team-sport athletes' RSA more effectively than SGL (small effect size) and CON (large effect size), particularly when CT involves plyometric + sprint training.
Key words:
Physical fitness, athletic performance, plyometric exercise, team sports, resistance training
Key Points
Combined strength (CT) improved repeated sprint ability (RSA) performance compared to single-mode training (SGL) and active controls maintaining routine training (CON).
This study recommends that coaches prioritize the incorporation of combined training strategies into athletes' training regimens to optimize RSA development, especially emphasizing PT (e.g., horizontal or vertical, unilateral, or bilateral, or drop jumps) +ST (e.g., linear sprints, change of direction sprints, repeated sprints, high-intensity interval sprints) combinations.
The favoring effects of CT were noted across different ages and sports. The RSA tests involving linear and non-linear sprints seem equally sensitive to examine the effects of CT.
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The Effect of Combined Strength, Plyometric, and Sprint Training on Repeated Sprint Ability in Team-Sport Athletes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
