Effects of Maturation Stage on Sprinting Speed Adaptations to Plyometric Jump Training in Youth Male Team Sports Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Purpose To determine the effects of maturation stage (eg, classified in the same intervention protocol as early-, and late-mature) on linear sprinting speed adaptations to plyometric jump training (PJT) in youth (aged <18 years) male team sports players. Patients and Methods Eligibility criteria was determined based on PICOS: (P) healthy youth male team sport players classified in the same intervention protocol in ≥2 maturation-related categories, based on a recognized maturation stage-determination method, including (but not limited to) Tanner stage; peak height velocity (eg, Mirwald method); radiography-based method (eg, Fels method); (I) athletes exposed to PJT with a minimum of 4 weeks duration; (C) athletes non-exposed to PJT (non-dedicated intervention, ie, only field-based regular training) or performing a parallel intervention not-related with PJT organized by maturation levels; (O) sprinting speed (eg, time, maximal sprint speed) measured in any linear sprint test trajectories before and after the intervention; (S) only randomized controlled and/or parallel trials. Searches were conducted on December 2021 in EMBASE, PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus and Web of Science, restricted to Portuguese, Spanish and English languages, with no restrictions regarding publication date, and no filters applied. The PEDro scale was used to assess the risk of bias in the included studies. Meta-analysis was computed using the inverse variance random-effects model. The significance level was set at p < 0.05. Results The search identified 1219 titles. From those, four studies were selected for qualitative and quantitative synthesis. Four studies provided data for sprinting performance, involving 10 experimental and 8 control groups showing a small effect of trained participants on sprinting performance (ES = 0.31; p = 0.064; I2 = 41.3%) when compared to controls. No significant moderator effect was noted for somatic maturity (p = 0.473 between groups). Conclusion PJT had no significant effect on sprinting performance, although the inclusion criteria partially may explain that.

Maturation-specific enhancements in lower extremity explosive strength following plyometric training in adolescent soccer players: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Contrary to the findings of Silva et al [ 77 ], the present systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrate a significant improvement in sprinting performance among adolescent soccer players through plyometric training, with the existence of maturation effects. The movement characteristics of plyometric training can reduce ground contact time during sprinting, thereby enhancing sprinting performance [ 78 ]; Additionally, the training-induced enhancements associated with plyometric training involve peripheral, central nervous system, and neuromuscular factors, which can improve joint proprioception and kinematics, ultimately leading to improved sprinting performance [ 79 , 80 ].…”

“…However, It is crucial to recognize that their study focused on a population of young male soccer players, which is different from adolescent soccer players, and did not specifically explore the maturation effects of plyometric training on adolescent soccer players. Silva et al [ 77 ], on the other hand, conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis examining the maturation effects of plyometric training on youth male team sports players. However, their results suggested that plyometric training does not significantly improve sprinting performance in adolescent soccer players, and the changes across each maturation stage were similar.…”

“…Several factors may contribute to the increasing trend in sprinting performance during the PRE-PHV and MID-PHV stages, including: As adolescents undergo natural growth and development, changes occur in muscle dimensions, lower limb segment lengths, and muscle-tendon properties due to individual maturation and growth. These changes lead to improved movement quality and positively impact sprinting performance [ 27 , 77 , 81 ]. With accumulated experience in various movements and sports, adolescents further develop their neuromuscular coordination abilities.…”

“…As adolescents undergo natural growth and development, changes occur in muscle dimensions, lower limb segment lengths, and muscle-tendon properties due to individual maturation and growth. These changes lead to improved movement quality and positively impact sprinting performance [ 27 , 77 , 81 ].…”

Bibliometric analysis of plyometrics in sport: 40 years of scientific production

“…Likewise, scientific advances related to plyometrics in sports have allowed access to quality information, thus seeking to favor the processes that are developed in general sports preparation, specific preparation, and physical performance related to vertical jumping, linear sprinting, and changes of direction of athletes (Pardos-Mainer et al, 2021;Markovic & Mikulic, 2010). Similarly, the effects of plyometric training in response to female athletes' performance in vertical jumping (Stojanović et al, 2017), on agility in male soccer players (Čaprić et al, 2022) and the effects of the maturation period on adaptations in sprint speed abilities through plyometric jumping in young athletes in team sports (Silva et al, 2022) have been examined.…”