Effects of plyometric training on kicking performance in soccer players: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Yeqin Zhang; Danyang Li; Miguel-Ángel Gómez-Ruano; Daniel Memmert; Chunman Li; Ming Fu

doi:10.3389/fphys.2023.1072798

Effects of plyometric training on kicking performance in soccer players: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Front Physiol. 2023 Apr 13:14:1072798. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1072798. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Yeqin Zhang¹, Danyang Li², Miguel-Ángel Gómez-Ruano³, Daniel Memmert⁴, Chunman Li¹, Ming Fu⁵

Affiliations

¹ China Football College, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China.
² School of Psychology, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China.
³ Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences (INEF), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
⁴ Institute of Exercise Training and Sport Informatics, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
⁵ Institute of Physical Education and Training, Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, Beijing, China.

Abstract

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the pooled effect size (ES) of plyometric training (PT) on kicking performance (kicking speed and distance) in soccer players depending upon some related factors (i.e., age, gender, skill level, and intervention duration). This study was carried out according to the PRISMA guidelines. Four electronic databases-EBSCO, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science-were searched for relevant studies. A total of n = 16 studies yielding 17 ES with n = 553 participants were finally included in the meta-analysis. A random-effects model was used to calculate Hedge's g with a 95% confidence interval (CI), which showed that plyometric training had a large-sized positive effect on soccer kicking performance (g = 0.979, 95% CI [0.606, 1.353], p < 0.001). Subgroup analyses were performed according to participants' characteristics (i.e., age, gender, skill level) and intervention duration, demonstrating no significant differences between these subgroups. The study pointed out that plyometric training is a generally effective method to improve soccer players' kicking performance, which plays a crucial role in passing and shooting actions during games. As for soccer players and strength and conditioning coaches, the plyometric training aiming to enhance kicking performance has valuable implications in practice. Therefore, besides well-known training methods like power training in the weight room, plyometric training could be incorporated into the overall strength and conditioning programs for soccer players to reach high standards of kicking performance.

Keywords: kicking distance; kicking speed; meta-analysis; plyometric training; soccer kicking.

Publication types

Review

Grants and funding

This research was funded by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, grant number 20211022; the China Scholarship Council, grant number 202106520014; and the Beijing Higher Education “Undergraduate Teaching Reform and Innovation Project.”