SynthesisBMC sports science, medicine & rehabilitation2026
Effects of plyometric training on performance-related metrics in track and field athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, with preliminary evidence on injury prevention.
Synthesis in BMC sports science, medicine & rehabilitation, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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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.
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4 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundPlyometric training (PT) is widely used in track and field to improve stretch-shortening cycle efficiency, sprint speed, and explosive power. However, no systematic review has synthesized randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the effects of PT on both injury-related and performance outcomes in track and field athletes. We aimed to evaluate the effects of PT on performance-related metrics in this population.
methodsPubMed
resultsThirty RCTs met inclusion criteria, with 27 contributing to meta-analyses. Out of 30 studies, one RCT assessed the impact of PT on injuries and reported a significant reduction in lower limb injury incidence following PT. Meta-analyses showed significant improvements in 30 m sprint performance (-3.53%, p = 0.02), countermovement jump height (mean difference 5.11%, p = 0.03), vertical jump height (2.95%, p = 0.02), and standing long jump distance (2.55%, p = 0.01). PT also improved VO₂ max (3.05%, p = 0.04) and running economy at 14 km·h⁻¹ (-1.96%, p = 0.05). Heterogeneity ranged from low to substantial across outcomes.
conclusionsPT enhances sprinting, jumping, neuromuscular, and selected endurance-related performance outcomes in track and field athletes. Although preliminary evidence suggests potential benefits including injury reduction, robust exposure-based RCTs are needed to establish definitive preventive effects.
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