Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41660069›Full record

SynthesisPeerJ2026

Effects of variable resistance training on lower limb explosive power in athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Ziqi Xu, Songpeng Su, Zitong Xu

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in PeerJ, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed, 1 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

2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Review
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

3 authors.

Ziqi XuDepartment of Physical Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
Songpeng SuSchool of Athletic Training, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou, China.
Zitong XuSchool of Physical Education, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the effects of variable resistance training (VRT) on athletes' lower limb explosive power through assessments of jumping, sprinting, and change of direction (COD) performance. Methods: A systematic search was conducted across four electronic databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest) from their inception until March 23, 2025. Study eligibility was assessed against the Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes, Study design (PICOS) framework. Following data extraction, the methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Data analysis was performed using Stata 15 software, with standardized mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals calculated as the pooled effect size measure. Results: Fifteen articles involving 442 participants were included in the final analysis. The overall meta-analysis demonstrated that VRT was an effective method for enhancing athletes' jumping performance (SMD = 0.81 cm, Conclusion: This systematic review suggests that VRT may serve as an effective training strategy for enhancing lower-limb explosive power in athletes. However, due to significant heterogeneity among the included studies and potential publication bias, the definitive benefits of VRT require further validation through additional high-quality research.

Indexed as

AthletesAthletic PerformanceLower ExtremityMuscle StrengthResistance TrainingHumansAthletesChain trainingElastic band trainingLower limb explosive powerResistance training

Identifiers

PMID41660069
PMCPMC12882733

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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.