# Standalone plyometric training in basketball players: a meta-analytic comparison of countermovement jump, squat jump, and sprint performance enhancements

## TL;DR

This study finds that standalone plyometric training improves vertical jumps in basketball players but has limited impact on sprint performance.

## Contribution

The study provides a focused meta-analysis on standalone plyometric training effects in basketball players, isolating its impact from combined training modalities.

## Key findings

- Plyometric training significantly improves countermovement and squat jump performance in basketball players.
- There is minimal heterogeneity in squat jump improvements but considerable heterogeneity in countermovement jump outcomes.
- Plyometric training has a small but significant effect on 20-meter sprint performance with no heterogeneity.

## Abstract

While several meta-analyses have quantitatively examined plyometric training effects, many combined it with other modalities (e.g., strength training) or did not focus exclusively on basketball players. This systematic review and meta-analysis therefore aimed to quantitatively evaluate the independent effect of plyometric training on lower-body explosive power and sprint performance specifically in basketball athletes, focusing on countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ), and 20-meter sprint outcomes.

A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, and SportDiscus up to 24 September 2025. Randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies comparing plyometric training with control conditions in basketball players were included. A random-effects model was used to calculate pooled Hedges’ g with 95% confidence intervals. Heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed using I2 statistics and funnel plots with Egger’s test.

Seventeen studies involving 444 participants were included. The meta-analysis revealed significant improvements in countermovement jump (g = 0.77, 95% CI 0.42–1.11) and squat jump (g = 0.86, 95% CI 0.52–1.20) following plyometric training, with minimal heterogeneity for squat jump (I2 = 0.5%) but considerable heterogeneity for countermovement jump (I2 = 67.6%). A small but significant effect was found for 20-meter sprint performance (g = −0.39, 95% CI −0.72 to −0.05), with no heterogeneity (I2 = 0%). Subgroup analysis based on training duration showed no significant difference in countermovement jump outcomes.

Standalone plyometric training is effective for enhancing vertical jump performance in basketball players, particularly squat jump, but has limited transfer to 20-meter sprint performance. Future research should focus on standardized intervention designs and consider moderating factors such as training volume and athlete characteristics.

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD420251179252, identifier CRD420251179252.