Table 4 Practical recommendations for improving CMJ performance in soccer players based on the network meta-analysis. Training modality Player group Duration Frequency Certainty (CINeMA) Practical considerations (HOW/CONTEXT) Cautions (LIMITATIONS) Recommendation (WHAT works) CBT (Combined training) Youth (≤ 18), Tier 2, male 4-8 weeks 2-5 sessions/ week Moderate Combines resistance and plyometric stimuli and may be associated with complementary neuromuscular adaptations. Some concerns in RoB2; moderate heterogeneity; limited head-to-head comparisons Most effective modality for CMJ improvement PT (Plyometric training) Adult (> 18 years), female, general athletes 6-12 weeks 2-4 sessions/ week Moderate Particularly beneficial when athletes have an adequate strength foundation Small number of studies; reliance on indirect comparisons; moderate heterogeneity Effective for improving explosive performance FT (Flywheel resistance training) Tier 3 / highly trained 6-10 weeks 1-2 sessions/ week Low-Moderate May enhance neuromuscular adaptations under high mechanical load conditions Small sample size; heterogeneous protocols; reliance on indirect evidence Provides eccentric overload stimulus for CMJ improvement STG (Traditional strength training) Strength-focused athletes 4-8 weeks 2-3 sessions/ week Low Primarily develops general strength qualities rather than CMJ-specific adaptations Heterogeneous training protocols; inconsistent effects; limited direct comparisons Limited effectiveness for CMJ improvement HIIT/RST/ SSG Conditioning-focused soccer contexts 5-10 weeks 1-3 sessions/ week Low More suitable for conditioning and match fitness development Indirect evidence base; small sample sizes; limited CMJ-specific adaptations Limited direct transfer to CMJ performance Note: Recommendations are based on NMA ranking probabilities. Certainty of evidence was assessed using CINeMA. Interpretation should consider indirect comparisons, study-level limitations, and variability in training protocols across studies.