Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40689312›Full record

ReviewJournal of exercise science and fitness2025

Impact of training volume settings between unilateral training and bilateral training on athletic performance: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Meiling Tao, George P Nassis, Yuou Song, Mingyue Yin, Chenwen Zhu, Mengde Lyu, Zhili Chen, Yuming Zhong, Chris Bishop, Yongming Li

Abstract readReview
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Journal of exercise science and fitness, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed, 2 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

4 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Pooled it
  3. Article
  4. Article
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

10 authors.

Meiling TaoSchool of Athletic Performance, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China.
George P NassisCollege of Sport Science, University of Kalba, Kalba, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
Yuou SongSchool of Athletic Performance, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China.
Mingyue YinSchool of Athletic Performance, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China.
Chenwen ZhuChina Table Tennis College, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China.
Mengde LyuSchool of Athletic Performance, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China.
Zhili ChenSchool of Athletic Performance, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China.
Yuming ZhongSchool of Athletic Performance, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China.
Chris BishopFaculty of Science and Technology, London Sport Institute, Middlesex University, London, NW4 4BT, UK.
Yongming LiSchool of Athletic Performance, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: The unilateral/bilateral dimension refers to whether an action is performed by one side of the body alone or involves both sides simultaneously. Unilateral training (UT) and bilateral training (BT) have been shown to enhance athletic performance. However, there are differences in training volume settings between unilateral and bilateral training, making it essential to understand their characteristics for optimizing training protocols and improving competitive level. Objective: This systematic review aimed to: 1) explore the effects of training volume settings between unilateral training and bilateral training on improvements in athletic performance (muscle strength, jump performance, sprint time, and change of direction time), and 2) investigate the moderating effects on testing metrics, training frequency, and training protocol on athletic performance. Methods: Searches were conducted in PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Library, EBSCOhost, and Web of Science (Core Collection) on June 5, 2024, and updated on April 17, 2025. Included studies were randomized controlled trials that investigated the effects of UT versus BT on athletic performance in athlete. Pooled effects for each outcome were summarized using Standardized Mean Difference [Hedges' g (g)] through a three-level meta-analysis model, and subgroup analyses were used to explore moderators. The certainty of evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach. Results: A total of nine high-quality randomized controlled trials were included, involving 225 athletes. The results showed that there was no significant difference in improving athletic performance whether the training volume of UT and BT was the same (g = 0.20 [-1.56, 1.15], I Conclusion: The training volume settings between unilateral and bilateral training may not have a significant impact on athletic performance. The testing metrics might be the significant moderating factors, whereas training frequency and training protocol are likely not significant moderators. Prospero registration: CRD42024545511.

Indexed as

AthleteBilateral performanceTraining volume

Identifiers

PMID40689312
PMCPMC12275932

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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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.