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

anatomy-and-physiology
kinesiology
sports-medicine

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: Retrieval of relevant literature from Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and ProQuest. The search period ranged from the starting year to March 23, 2025. Subsequently, studies were screened, data were extracted, and the quality of the studies was assessed. Data analysis was performed using Stata 15 software.

Results: In terms of overall effects, VRT significantly improved jumping performance (MD = 0.84, 95% CI [0.61, 1.07], p = 0.000, I² = 59.4%), sprinting performance (MD= － 1.17， 95%CI[ － 1.62，－ 0.72]， p=0.000， I2 =77.5%) and COD performance (MD = -1.71, 95% CI [-2.19, -1.73], p = 0.000, I² = 72.5%). Subgroup analysis showed that VRT had significant positive effects on athletes' VJ (MD = 0.33, 95% CI [0.04, 0.61], p = 0.023, I² = 4.8%), SJ (MD = 0.97, 95% CI [0.58, 1.36], p = 0.000, I² = 56.7%), CMJ (MD = 1.04, 95% CI [0.66, 1.42], p = 0.000, I² = 56.7%), 5-m sprint (MD = -1.21, 95% CI [-1.63, -0.79], p = 0.000, I² = 6.3%), 10-m sprint (MD= － 1.30， 95%CI [ － 1.82，－ 0.79]， p=0.000， I2 =29.3%), 30-m sprint (MD = -1.12, 95% CI [-2.00, -0.24], p = 0.012, I² = 87.3%), T test (MD= － 2.08， 95%CI [ － 2.85，－ 1.31]， p=0.000， I2 =76.3%), repeated change of direction (RCOD)(MD= － 0.84， 95%CI [ － 1.32，－ 0.35]， p=0.001， I2 =5.9%) and illinois test(MD= － 1.92， 95%CI [ － 2.70，－ 1.14]， p=0.000， I2 =62.0%) .

Conclusion: VRT has a significant improvement effect on athletes' jumping (VJ, SJ, CMJ), sprinting (5m, 10m, 30m), and COD (T test, RCOD, Illinois test) performance. Therefore, VRT is an effective method to enhance athletes' lower limb explosive power.

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