Age-Related Variation in Male Youth Athletes' Countermovement Jump After Plyometric Training: A Meta-Analysis of Controlled Trials

Abstract

Moran, J, Sandercock, GRH, Ramírez-Campillo, R, Meylan, CMP, Collison, J, and Parry, DA. Age-related variation in male youth athletes' countermovement jump after plyometric training: A meta-analysis of controlled trials. J Strength Cond Res 31(2): 552-565, 2017-Recent debate on the trainability of youths has focused on the existence of periods of accelerated adaptation to training. Accordingly, the purpose of this meta-analysis was to identify the age- and maturation-related pattern of adaptive responses to plyometric training in youth athletes. Thirty effect sizes were calculated from the data of 21 sources with studies qualifying based on the following criteria: (a) healthy male athletes who were engaged in organized sport; (b) groups of participants with a mean age between 10 and 18 years; and (c) plyometric-training intervention duration between 4 and 16 weeks. Standardized mean differences showed plyometric training to be moderately effective in increasing countermovement jump (CMJ) height (Effect size = 0.73 95% confidence interval: 0.47-0.99) across PRE-, MID-, and POST-peak height velocity groups. Adaptive responses were of greater magnitude between the mean ages of 10 and 12.99 years (PRE) (ES = 0.91 95% confidence interval: 0.47-1.36) and 16 and 18 years (POST) (ES = 1.02 [0.52-1.53]). The magnitude of adaptation to plyometric training between the mean ages of 13 and 15.99 years (MID) was lower (ES = 0.47 [0.16-0.77]), despite greater training exposure. Power performance as measured by CMJ may be mediated by biological maturation. Coaches could manipulate training volume and modality during periods of lowered response to maximize performance.

Effects of plyometric training on jumping, sprint performance, and lower body muscle strength in healthy adults: A systematic review and meta‐analyses

“…Interestingly, a previous meta‐analysis has demonstrated similar effects from PLY regardless of age, physical activity, and athletic experience . In contrast to those findings, Moran et al showed age‐related variation in the response to PLY in youth male athletes.…”

“…One limitation of the existing reviews summarizing the effects of PLY is that they do not include the large number of original studies that have been published recently . Some recent reviews have been published, but these investigated non‐performance outcomes such as bone health, bone mineral density, or the age‐related variation in the effects of PLY . Others have investigated the effects of PLY on performance of only single outcomes and/or have been devoted to specific subgroups.…”

“…[20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31] Some recent reviews have been published, 7,10-13,15-18 but these investigated non-performance outcomes such as bone health, 12 bone mineral density, 18 or the age-related variation in the effects of PLY. 10,17 Others have investigated the effects of PLY on performance of only single outcomes and/or have been devoted to specific subgroups. Moreover, the focus of these reviews included upper body physical performance, 13 change of direction ability, 11 jumping performance in young female athletes, 15 and athletic performance in youth soccer players 16 and in team-sport athletes.…”

“…Moreover, the focus of these reviews included upper body physical performance, 13 change of direction ability, 11 jumping performance in young female athletes, 15 and athletic performance in youth soccer players 16 and in team-sport athletes. 7 Most of these reviews included children and adolescents in their analyses, 7,[10][11][12][13][15][16][17] while some also included non-controlled studies limiting the overall methodological quality. 10,11 An updated review that summarizes the existing knowledge from controlled studies on jumping, sprint performance, and lower body muscle strength in healthy adults is therefore warranted.…”

Variation in Responses to Sprint Training in Male Youth Athletes: A Meta-analysis

“…This review used the same methodology as a recent meta-analysis on plyometric training in male youth athletes [47] and was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement [28]. The study was approved by the university's institutional review board.…”