Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41635313›Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in physiology2025

The specificity of cluster training effects in sports: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Xinyi Zhao, Xudong Ya, Hao Zhou, Guowei Liu, Ziyao Liu, Jiaxin Luo, Yujia Liu, Yifeng Bu

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in physiology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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.

Xinyi Zhao *Institute of Physical Education, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
Xudong Ya *School of Vocational and Continuing Education, Ningxia Normal University, Guyuan, Ningxia, China.
Hao ZhouInstitute of Physical Education, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
Guowei LiuFunctional Nano & Soft Materials Laboratory of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
Ziyao LiuInstitute of Physical Education, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
Jiaxin LuoInstitute of Physical Education, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
Yujia LiuInstitute of Physical Education, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
Yifeng BuInstitute of Physical Education, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Objective: To systematically evaluate cluster structure training (CS) and traditional training (TS) in enhancing athletes' motor abilities and explore sport-specific effects. Methods: Systematic searches of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science (inception to March 2025). Quality was assessed using TESTEX, with meta-analyses calculating SMD (P < 0.05) and subgroup analyses by sport. Results: A total of 11 studies were included, showing that CS outperformed TS in improving athletes' sprint ability (SMD = -0.32, 95% CI: [-0.56, -0.07], P = 0.012), explosive power (SMD = 0.39, 95% CI: [0.10, 0.68], P = 0.009) with significant differences. Subgroup analysis further revealed sport-specific effects: CS was more effective than TS in enhancing maximum strength (SMD = 0.30, 95% CI: [0.01, 0.59], P = 0.043), explosive power (SMD = 0.96, 95% CI: [0.26, 1.65], P = 0.007), and sprint ability (SMD = -0.65, 95% CI: [-1.15, -0.16], P = 0.009) in volleyball athletes, as well as peak power in soccer athletes (SMD = 0.68, 95% CI: [0.01, 1.36], P = 0.047). Conclusion: CS benefits volleyball and soccer, where explosive power is key. Coaches should tailor CS to sports' energy demands and work-rest ratios. Clinical Trial Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/home, identifier CRD420251015968.

Indexed as

cluster structuremeta-analysisresistance trainingstrength and conditional trainingtraining effect

Identifiers

PMID41635313
PMCPMC12862356

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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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.