Abstract

Background: Plyometric training (PT) is widely acknowledged as an effective approach for enhancing sports performance among adolescents, particularly in terms of explosive power, speed, and agility. Nevertheless, the specific effects of PT on distinct performance metrics within this demographic remain inadequately defined. This study seeks to thoroughly examine the impact of PT on various sports performance indicators in adolescent athletes by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: Relevant literature published up to January 1, 2025, was sourced from databases including Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase. The analysis incorporated randomized controlled trials involving adolescents aged 10 to 19 years, focusing on the effects of PT on performance measures such as jumping, sprinting, and agility, with intervention durations of at least six weeks. Standardized mean differences (SMD) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using random-effects models. Data synthesis and subgroup analyses were conducted using Review Manager 5.4 software, and methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool.

Results: The analysis included 63 studies involving a total of 4,904 participants. The intervention periods ranged from 6 to 26 weeks, with training sessions occurring 2 to 5 times per week, each lasting 30 to 120 minutes. The meta-analysis indicated that PT significantly enhanced adolescent jump performance (SMD= 0.78, 95% CI: 0.62,0.94, P < 0.001), sprint performance (SMD = −0.55, 95% CI: −0.69, −0.41, P < 0.001), and agility performance (SMD = −0.91, 95% CI: −1.24, −0.59, P < 0.001), with all results achieving statistical significance (p < 0.05). Subgroup analysis revealed that physical training (PT) conducted over a duration of 10 to 26 weeks significantly improved various sports performance metrics among adolescents, including jumping ability (SMD = 1.03), sprint speed (SMD = −1.20), and agility (SMD = −0.69). Notably, the enhancement in jumping ability was significantly more pronounced in males (SMD = 0.85) compared to females (SMD = 0.43). In contrast, females exhibited significantly greater improvements in sprint performance (SMD = −0.89) relative to males (SMD = −0.52). Furthermore, PT was found to substantially enhance agility (SMD = −1.45) and sprint performance (SMD = −1.01) among adolescents engaged in handball, while also improving jumping performance (SMD = 0.90) in those participating in volleyball.

Conclusion: PT is recognized as an effective intervention for improving sports performance in adolescents, with substantial positive outcomes observed in jumping, sprinting, and agility. Evidence suggests that extended interventions, lasting 10 weeks or more, result in more significant enhancements, with gender and sport discipline identified as pivotal factors affecting performance improvements.

PROSPERO registration number: CRD42024627316.