Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41908219›Full record

ReviewFrontiers in sports and active living2026

The effect of exercise training modalities on the morphological and mechanical properties of the achilles tendon: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Baisheng Fu, Yihan Qian, Yuan Wang, Junjie Fang, Yaodong Gu, Xini Zhang

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Frontiers in sports and active living, 2026. 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

6 authors.

Baisheng FuFaculty of Sport Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.
Yihan QianFaculty of Sport Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.
Yuan WangHangZhou Ziyun Experimental School, Hangzhou, China.
Junjie FangRadiology Department, Ningbo No.2 Hospital, Ningbo, China.
Yaodong GuFaculty of Sport Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.
Xini ZhangFaculty of Sport Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: The Achilles tendon (AT) is vital for sports performance yet highly susceptible to injury. Exercise can induce structural and mechanical adaptations, but the relative effectiveness of different protocols remains uncertain. This systematic review and network meta-analysis evaluated exercise-based interventions targeting AT morphology and mechanics in healthy adults. Methods: PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus were searched from inception to 18 Feb 2025. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were synthesized using random-effects network meta-analysis (Hedges' g). Risk of bias was assessed using a modified Downs and Black Quality Index. Results: Forty-nine trials were included in the systematic review; 31 RCTs ( Discussion: In healthy adults, progressive, higher-dose loading, particularly isometric plantar-flexion training and plyometric jump training, shows the most favorable rankings for AT adaptation. Rankings should be interpreted cautiously given heterogeneity and sparse networks for some outcomes; well-powered head-to-head RCTs with harmonised outcome definitions are needed. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero, PROSPERO CRD420251009672.

Indexed as

achilles tendongait retrainingnetwork meta-analysisplyometric exerciseresistance trainingtendon stiffness

Identifiers

PMID41908219
PMCPMC13017926

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.