Tapering strategies applied to plyometric jump training: a systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this systematic review was to analyze the effect of plyometric jump training (PJT) applied in conjunction with tapering strategies on the jump performance of team-sport athletes. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: The meta-analysis included: 1) randomized-controlled studies that incorporated a PJT program; 2) cohorts of team-sport athletes; 3) jump performance assessments; and 4) studies that incorporated a programmed taper. A systematic search was conducted in distinct electronic databases for relevant studies. Aside from jump performance, the extracted data included characteristics of the participants, PJT, and tapering. Means and standard deviations were used to calculate the effect sizes (ES). To assess the effects of moderator variables, subgroup analyses were performed. The statistical significance level was set as P<0.05. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: From 7020 records initially identified, 14 studies were eligible for meta-analysis. Across all included studies, there was a moderate, significant improvement in jump performance (ES=0.73; P<0.001). Additionally, the subgroup analysis demonstrated that the duration and intensity of the taper and the volume of the PJT induced similar improvements in jump performance (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In summary, PJT interventions that included a programmed taper induced significant improvements in jump performance in team-sport athletes. These effects were observed after different tapering strategies in terms of volume, taper duration, and the type of PJT prescribed.