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. 2024 Dec 23;12(12):357.
doi: 10.3390/sports12120357.

Potential Importance of Maximal Upper Body Strength-Generating Qualities and Upper Body Strength Training for Performance of High-Intensity Running and Jumping Actions: A Scoping Review

Ivan Curovic  1 , David Grecic  2 , David Rhodes  3 , Jill Alexander  1 , Damian J Harper  1
Affiliations

Potential Importance of Maximal Upper Body Strength-Generating Qualities and Upper Body Strength Training for Performance of High-Intensity Running and Jumping Actions: A Scoping Review

Ivan Curovic et al. Sports (Basel). .

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the influence of upper body (UB) strength qualities and UB strength training on the performance of high-intensity running and jumping actions and to identify gaps and recommendations for future research.

Methods: A systematic search using the PRISMA Scoping Review protocol was conducted in February 2024 using PubMed, Scopus, and ICTRP. Studies eligible for inclusion were those that reported associations between UB or trunk maximal strength qualities (e.g., absolute strength, forces, power) and high-intensity running or jumping actions or investigated the influence of an isolated UB strength training intervention on high-intensity running or jumping performances.

Results: Of the 4730 articles, 7 studies met the inclusion criteria, reporting correlations for 16 high-intensity running or jumping tests. No intervention studies were identified. Preliminary findings of the limited number of studies highlight that greater UB maximal strength-generating capacity may positively influence repeated sprint ability. While a significant moderate correlation between greater absolute UB strength and faster "flying" sprint was also reported, mixed results were found for sprint acceleration. There is also evidence that change-of-direction performance may greatly benefit from high maximal isometric strength of all trunk muscles and that strong trunk extensors may enhance drop jumps.

Conclusions: This review identifies the potential of UB strength to contribute to high-intensity running and jumping actions. Future research is warranted to investigate this link via various UB strength tests and UB strength training protocols aimed at maximising neuromuscular adaptations.

Keywords: change of direction; repeated sprint ability; sprinting; trunk muscles.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
PRISMA flowchart illustrating step by step process leading to the identification of studies eligible for the scoping review.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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