Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Meta-Analysis
. 2017 Jun 29;12(6):e0180223.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0180223. eCollection 2017.

Short-term adaptations following Complex Training in team-sports: A meta-analysis

Tomás T Freitas  1 , Alejandro Martinez-Rodriguez  2 , Julio Calleja-González  3 , Pedro E Alcaraz  1   4
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Short-term adaptations following Complex Training in team-sports: A meta-analysis

Tomás T Freitas et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this meta-analysis was to study the short-term adaptations on sprint and vertical jump (VJ) performance following Complex Training (CT) in team-sports. CT is a resistance training method aimed at developing both strength and power, which has a direct effect on sprint and VJ. It consists on alternating heavy resistance training exercises with plyometric/power ones, set for set, on the same workout.

Methods: A search of electronic databases up to July 2016 (PubMed-MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, Web of Knowledge) was conducted. Inclusion criteria: 1) at least one CT intervention group; 2) training protocols ≥4-wks; 3) sample of team-sport players; 4) sprint or VJ as an outcome variable. Effect sizes (ES) of each intervention were calculated and subgroup analyses were performed.

Results: A total of 9 studies (13 CT groups) met the inclusion criteria. Medium effect sizes (ES) (ES = 0.73) were obtained for pre-post improvements in sprint, and small (ES = 0.41) in VJ, following CT. Experimental-groups presented better post-intervention sprint (ES = 1.01) and VJ (ES = 0.63) performance than control-groups.

Sprint: large ESs were exhibited in younger athletes (<20 years old; ES = 1.13); longer CT interventions (≥6 weeks; ES = 0.95); conditioning activities with intensities ≤85% 1RM (ES = 0.96) and protocols with frequencies of <3 sessions/week (ES = 0.84). Medium ESs were obtained in Division I players (ES = 0.76); training programs >12 total sessions (ES = 0.74).

Vj: Large ESs in programs with >12 total sessions (ES = 0.81). Medium ESs obtained for under-Division I individuals (ES = 0.56); protocols with intracomplex rest intervals ≥2 min (ES = 0.55); conditioning activities with intensities ≤85% 1RM (ES = 0.64); basketball/volleyball players (ES = 0.55). Small ESs were found for younger athletes (ES = 0.42); interventions ≥6 weeks (ES = 0.45).

Conclusions: CT interventions have positive medium effects on sprint performance and small effects on VJ in team-sport athletes. This training method is a suitable option to include in the season planning.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Flow diagram of the process of study selection.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Standardized mean difference (SMD) between post and pre-intervention sprint time in CT-trained subjects.
Squares represent the SMDa for each trial. Diamonds represent the pooled SMD across trials.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Standardized mean difference (SMD) between post and pre-intervention VJ height in CT-trained subjects.
Squares represent the SMDa for each trial. Diamonds represent the pooled SMD across trials.
Fig 4
Fig 4. Standardized mean difference (SMD) in post-intervention sprint time between CT-trained and control subjects.
Squares represent the SMDa for each trial. Diamonds represent the pooled SMD across trials.
Fig 5
Fig 5. Standardized mean difference (SMD) in post-intervention VJ between CT-trained and control subjects.
Squares represent the SMDa for each trial. Diamonds represent the pooled SMD across trials.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Cormie P, McGuigan MR, Newton RU. Developing maximal neuromuscular power: part 2—training considerations for improving maximal power production. Sports Med. 2011;41(2):125–46. Epub 2011/01/20. doi: 10.2165/11538500-000000000-00000 . - DOI - PubMed
    1. Bolger R, Lyons M, Harrison AJ, Kenny IC. Sprinting Performance and Resistance-Based Training Interventions: A Systematic Review. J Strength Cond Res. 2015;29(4):1146–56. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000000720 - DOI - PubMed
    1. García-Pinillos F, Martínez-Amat A, Hita-Contreras F, Martínez-López EJ, Latorre-Román PA. Effects of a contrast training program without external load on vertical jump, kicking speed, sprint, and agility of young soccer players. J Strength Cond Res. 2014;28(9):2452–60. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000000452 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Faude O, Koch T, Meyer T. Straight sprinting is the most frequent action in goal situations in professional football. Journal of sports sciences. 2012;30(7):625–31. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2012.665940 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Duthie G, Pyne D, Hooper S. Time motion analysis of 2001 and 2002 super 12 rugby. J Sport Sci. 2005;23(5):523–30. - PubMed

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources