The effects of plyometric jump training on lower-limb stiffness in healthy individuals:A meta-analytical comparison

Purpose:This study aimed to examine the effects of plyometric jump training(PJT)on lower-limb stiffness.Methods:Systematic searches were conducted in PubMed,Web of Science,and Scopus.Study participants included healthy males and females who undertook a PJT programme isolated from any other training type.Results:There was a small effect size(ES)of PJT on lower-limb stiffness(ES=0.33,95%confidence interval(95%CI):0.07-0.60,z=2.47,p=0.01).Untrained individuals exhibited a larger ES(ES=0.46,95%CI:0.08-0.84,p=0.02)than trained individuals(ES=0.15,95%CI:-0.23 to 0.53,p=0.45).Interventions lasting a greater number of weeks(>7 weeks)had a larger ES(ES=0.47,95%CI:0.06-0.88,p=0.03)than those lasting fewer weeks(ES=0.22,95%CI:-0.12 to 0.55,p=0.20).Programmes with<2 sessions per week exhibited a larger ES(ES=0.39,95%CI:0.01-0.77,p=0.04)than programmes that incorporated>2 sessions per week(ES=0.20,95%CI:-0.10 to 0.50,p=0.18).Programmes with<250 jumps per week(ES=0.50,95%CI:0.02-0.97,p=0.04)showed a larger effect than programmes with250-500 jumps per week(ES=0.36,95%CI:0.00-0.72,p=0.05).Programmes with>500 jumps per week had negative effects(ES=-0.22,95%CI:-1.10 to 0.67,p=0.63).Programmes with>7.5 jumps per set showed larger effect sizes(ES=0.55,95%CI:0.02-1.08,p=0.04)than those with<7.5 jumps per set(ES=0.32,95%CI:0.01-0.62,p=0.04).Conclusion:PJT enhances lower-body stiffness,which can be optimised with lower volumes(<250 jumps per week)over a relatively long period of time(>7 weeks).