Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40281589›Full record

ArticleBMC sports science, medicine & rehabilitation2025

Effect of unilateral and bilateral plyometric training on jumping, sprinting, and change of direction abilities: a meta-analysis.

Zhanming Zhang, Wenhao Qu, Wuwen Peng, Jian Sun, Jiyang Yue, Lingju Guan, Min Lu, Duanying Li

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in BMC sports science, medicine & rehabilitation, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 12 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
12citing papers in PubMed, 3 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

12 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Zhanming ZhangGraduate School, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Wenhao Qu *Graduate School, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Wuwen Peng *Graduate School, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Jian SunSchool of Athletic Training, Guangzhou Sport University, No.1268 Guangzhou Avenue Central, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510500, China.
Jiyang YueSchool of Athletic Training, Guangzhou Sport University, No.1268 Guangzhou Avenue Central, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510500, China.
Lingju GuanGuangdong Provincial Institute of Sports Science, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. guan1977@163.com.
Min LuSchool of Wushu, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. Im3899@sina.com.
Duanying LiSchool of Athletic Training, Guangzhou Sport University, No.1268 Guangzhou Avenue Central, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510500, China. liduany@gzsport.edu.cn.

Funding

Guangdong Provincial Philosophy and Social Sciences Regularization Project 2022 GD22CTY09
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPlyometric training is a commonly employed method to enhance explosive strength in athletes. However, to date, no study has provided a comprehensive and systematic evaluation of the effects of unilateral (UNI) versus bilateral (BI) plyometric training.

objectivesThis meta-analysis investigates the impact of UNI and BI plyometric training on jumping, sprinting, and Change of Direction (COD) abilities. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: To be eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis, the study had to be:(1)healthy individuals; (2)UNI and BI plyometric training ; (3)conducted on rigid surfaces; (4)the outcome indicators were jumping ability, sprinting, and change of direction ability; (5)randomized controlled trials (RCTs). STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS

methodsWe used the random-effects model for meta-analyses. Effect sizes (standardized mean difference), calculated from measures of horizontally oriented performance, were represented by the standardized mean difference and presented alongside 95% confidence intervals (CI). DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest, CNKI and Google Scholar.

resultsA total of 11 papers met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis revealed that UNI contrast training was more effective than BI contrast training in improving single-leg jump performance (ES = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.02-1.04; Z = 2.05, p = 0.04), double-legs jump performance (ES = -0.07, 95% CI: -0.23-0.09; Z = 0.88, p = 0.38),sprint performance (ES = -0.04, 95% CI: -0.07--0.01; Z = 2.32, p = 0.02), as well as COD (ES = - 0.08, 95% CI: - 0.12 to - 0.03; Z = 3.29, p = 0.001 < 0.01). Conversely, BI contrast training showed a greater effect on bilateral jump performance (ES = -0.07, 95% CI: -0.12--0.03; Z = 3.39, p = 0.0007). Training with low-ground-contact frequencies (LGCF, fewer than 900 contacts) was found to significantly enhance vertical jump performance (ES = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.01-1.27; Z = 2.00, p = 0.05).

conclusionsUNI and BI plyometric training offer modality-specific benefits for enhancing single-leg jumping, sprinting, and COD performance, whereas BI is more effective for optimizing bilateral jump performance. The LGCF protocol significantly enhances vertical jump performance.

Indexed as

Lower Limb Athletic PerformancePlyometric trainingUnilateral training

Identifiers

PMID40281589
PMCPMC12032719

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.