SynthesisFrontiers in physiology2026
The effects of field-based repeatedsprint training on physical performance in soccer players: a systematic review and multilevel meta-analysis.
Synthesis in Frontiers in physiology, 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.
What it found
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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.
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.
Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Effects of repeated sprint training on repeated sprint ability and short-distance sprint performance in youth soccer players: a meta-analysis.BMC sports science, medicine & rehabilitation · 2026Pooled it
- Integrating mechanical, physiological, and muscle oxygenation responses during field-based tethered repeated-sprint exercise in male professional soccer players.Physiological reports · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: Repeated sprint training (RST) on the field has been employed as a time-efficient training strategy to enhance key physical performance in soccer players, such as short-sprint ability and repeated sprint ability (RSA). However, existing evidence regarding the effects of RST on comprehensive physical performance remains inconsistent, with previous reviews limited by methodological heterogeneity and insufficient statistical power. Therefore, this study aims to systematically review and quantify the effects of field-based RST on multiple physical performance indicators in soccer players through a multilevel meta-analysis. Methods: This study adhered to the PRISMA guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO. A systematic search was conducted across databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and EBSCO from inception until August 2025. Randomized controlled trials comparing field-based RST with control training were included. Using the metafor package in R (version 4.2.1), a multilevel random-effects model was constructed to synthesize non-independent effect sizes and accurately estimate within-group correlations. Effect sizes were expressed as Hedges' g with 95% confidence intervals. Parameters were estimated using restricted maximum likelihood, and the orchard package was employed for moderator analysis and result visualization. Heterogeneity was assessed via multilevel I Results: A total of 17 RCTs (386 participants) were included. The analysis revealed that RST significantly improved short-sprint ability (g = -0.26, 95% CI [-0.50, -0.03], p = 0.03), RSA (g = -0.37, 95% CI [-0.67, -0.08], p = 0.02), change of direction (CoD) ability (g = -0.70, 95% CI [-1.14, -0.25], p < 0.01) and high-intensity running (HIR) performance (g = 0.97, 95% CI [0.50, 1.43], p < 0.01). In contrast, RST did not yield significant overall effects on vertical jump (VJ) performance (g = -0.07, 95% CI [-0.40, 0.25], p = 0.64) or aerobic capacity (g = 0.02, 95% CI [-0.45, 0.50], p = 0.87). Most outcomes exhibited low heterogeneity (I Conclusion: Field-based RST effectively enhances short-sprint ability, RSA, CoD ability and HIR performance in soccer players. However, its limited effects on VJ performance, and aerobic capacity. Future research should focus on clarifying dose-response relationships and integrating sport-specific movements and individual characteristics to optimize training prescriptions.
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Registered trials
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.