SYSTEMATIC REVIEW article
Front. Physiol.
Sec. Exercise Physiology
Volume 16 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fphys.2025.1672353
This article is part of the Research TopicAcute and Chronic Physiological Adaptations to Resistance Exercises Across Various Populations: Mechanisms and Practical ApplicationsView all 23 articles
The Effects of French Contrast Training on Lower Limb Athletic Performance in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Provisionally accepted
- 1College of Physical Education and Health Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
- 2College of Sports and Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- 3Physical Education Department, University of International Business and Economics, Beijing, China
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Background: French Contrast Training (FCT) is a unique complex training (CT) method that has gained attention in sports science. Participant characteristics, training protocols, and control group types may influence the effects of FCT on lower limb athletic performance.The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the effects of FCT on jump, sprint, and maximal strength in healthy adults and to identify potential moderators of training effects.We searched five databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, EBSCO, and CNKI).Seven randomized controlled trials with 195 participants were included. We used a random-effects model for the outcomes (jump, sprint, and maximal strength) to calculate the pooled effect sizes Effects of FCT on athletic performance (standardized mean differences, SMD). Subgroup analyses and GRADE assessments were conducted to explore heterogeneity and assess the quality of evidence.Results: FCT significantly improved sprint (large effect: SMD = -0.92; 95% CI: -1.30 to -0.55; p < 0.001) and jump performance (moderate effect: SMD = 0.62; 95% CI: 0.33 to 0.91; p < 0.001).However, FCT failed to significantly improve maximal strength (small effect: SMD = 0.43; 95% CI: -0.04 to 0.89; p = 0.07). Subgroup analyses revealed that control group type, training frequency, training load, and participant characteristics were moderating variables influencing training effects.French contrast training is more effective than traditional resistance training for enhancing lower limbs explosive performance in healthy adults. However, there is not enough evidence to show it is superior to traditional complex training or that it improves maximal strength.Future research should aim to optimize FCT protocols and explore long-term adaptability across different populations.
Keywords: French Contrast Training, Athletic Performance, Jump, sprint, Maximal strength
Received: 24 Jul 2025; Accepted: 11 Aug 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Zhao, Ma, Wu, Zheng, Liu, Deng and Zhou. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Kaixiang Zhou, College of Physical Education and Health Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
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