Impact of intensity and volume of plyometric training on physical performance parameters in athletes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Existing literature states that plyometric training (PT) has beneficial effects on the physical performance parameters of athletes which is the key element for better performance. The present study aims to systematically review the impact of intensity and volume of PT on various physical performance parameters of athletes.

Systematic search was performed on the databases Pub Med, Web of Science and ProQuest using group of MESH and “NON-MESH “terms ((“Athlete”) OR (Player”) AND (Plyometric exercise) OR (Stretch-shortening exercise) OR (“Jump training”) OR (“Plyometric training”) AND (“Performance”). This systematic review included only randomised control trials (RCTs) investigating the effect of at least 4 weeks of PT on physical parameters in adolescent and adult athletes. Fourteen full text studies were qualitatively assessed by the PEDRO scale and 4 out of 14 met the criteria for quantitative analysis.

Majority of the studies were of fair quality (n=7), 6 were of good quality, and 1 was of poor quality. Majority of reported data showed significant improvement in physical performance parameters such as squat jump (SJ), vertical jump (VJ), depth jump (DJ), horizontal jump (HJ), counter moment jump (CMJ), lateral jump (LJ), change of direction ability (CODA), sprinting. Quantitative analyses revealed significant improvement in CMJ [Standardized Mean difference (Confidence intervals), SMD (CI),0.73, 0.12 to 1.35, p=0.02] and CODA (SMD (CI), -0.79 (1.56 to -0.03), p=0.04) with progressively increasing intensity and volume.

Findings suggests that PT is more effective at higher intensity and low volume than any other dosage combination, if performed for a period of 4–6 weeks.