# The effects of plyometric training on physical fitness in adolescent team sports: a systematic review and meta-analysis

## TL;DR

Plyometric training improves jump performance, sprint speed, and change-of-direction in adolescent team-sport athletes, with optimal results for those aged 16–18.99 and training durations of 8–10 weeks.

## Contribution

This study provides a systematic review and meta-analysis showing specific physical performance improvements from plyometric training in adolescents.

## Key findings

- Plyometric training significantly improves jump performance and sprint speed in adolescent athletes.
- Training durations of 8–10 weeks yield more consistent gains in specific physical metrics.
- Increasing the total number of jumps does not consistently enhance training outcomes.

## Abstract

This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effects of plyometric training (PT) on the physical fitness of adolescent team-sport athletes.

We systematically searched the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase databases. The methodological quality of the studies was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool (ROB-2). Meta-analyses were conducted using RevMan 5.4 and STATA 15.0.

A total of 31 studies involving 1,033 athletes (906 males and 127 females) were ultimately included. PT improved jump performance, including countermovement jump (ES = 0.89), countermovement jump with arms (ES = 1.00), squat jump (ES = 0.48), and standing long jump (ES = 1.10). PT also improved linear sprint over ≤10-m (ES = −0.59), 20-m (ES = −0.42), and 30-m (ES = −0.97), and improved change-of-direction (ES = −0.73).

Plyometric training can significantly improve the jumping performance, linear sprint and change-of-direction in adolescent team-sport athletes. Athletes aged 16–18.99 years may show larger improvements, and interventions lasting ≥8 to <10 weeks may be associated with more consistent gains, particularly for Countermovement Jump, SJ, ≤10-m linear sprint, and 20-m linear sprint. In contrast, increasing the total number of jumps was not consistently associated with greater training effects.

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD420251034889.