Effects of Plyometric Training on Vertical Jump Performance of Volleyball Players: Meta-Analysis of Randomized-Controlled Trial

Abstract

^{Volleyball is a very explosive and fast-paced sport in which plyometric training is widely used. Purpose: This meta-analysis aimed to assess the effects of plyometric training(PT) on volleyball players' vertical jump performance(VJP), comparing changes with control group. The emphasis is on the search was on interventional studies in which volleyball athletes of experimental group underwent a plyometric program. Method: A literature search was conducted according to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews with meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines using PubMed, EBSCO, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang, Weipu for articles published no later than  December 2021. Inclusion criteria: 1) PT was the intervention of the experimental  group; 2) at least one control group; 3) the subjects were healthy volleyball players; 4) VJP as an outcome variable. To the 1195 articles found, another one were added, identified through other sources. Duplicated files were removed, titles and abstracts were screened, which left 11 remaining studies for systematic analysis. Only randomized-controlled trials studies that included post interventions assessment of VJP were included. Moderator analysis considered include training frequency, training period, participants' sex,and age. Effect sizes (ES) of each intervention were calculated and subgroup analyses were performed. This meta-analysis provides effective evidence from multiple perspectives. Result: plyometric training can effectively improve the performance of volleyball players vertical jump. Nevertheless, more studies are needed to better research the benefits of plyometric training in volleyball players’ performance.}