SYSTEMATIC REVIEW article
Front. Physiol.
Sec. Exercise Physiology
This article is part of the Research TopicTraining Load in Sport: Current Challenges and Future Perspectives - Volume IIView all 13 articles
The Specificity of Cluster Training Effects in Sports: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Provisionally accepted
- 1Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, China
- 2Ningxia Normal University, Guyuan, China
- 3Soochow University, Taipei City, Taiwan
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Abstract Objective To systematically evaluate cluster structure training (CS) and traditional training (TS) in enhancing athletes' motor abilities and explore sport-specific effects. Methods Systematic searches of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science (inception to March 2025). Quality was assessed using TESTEX, with meta-analyses calculating SMD (P < 0.05) and subgroup analyses by sport. Results A total of 11 studies were included, showing that CS outperformed TS in improving athletes' sprint ability (SMD = -0.32, 95% CI: [-0.56, -0.07], P = 0.012), explosive power (SMD = 0.39, 95% CI: [0.10, 0.68], P = 0.009) with significant differences. Subgroup analysis further revealed sport-specific effects: CS was more effective than TS in enhancing maximum strength (SMD = 0.30, 95% CI: [0.01, 0.59], P = 0.043), explosive power (SMD = 0.96, 95% CI: [0.26, 1.65], P = 0.007), and sprint ability (SMD = -0.65, 95% CI: [-1.15, -0.16], P = 0.009) in volleyball athletes, as well as peak power in soccer athletes (SMD = 0.68, 95% CI: [0.01, 1.36], P = 0.047). Conclusion CS benefits volleyball and soccer, where explosive power is key. Coaches should tailor CS to sports' energy demands and work-rest ratios.
Keywords: Cluster structure, Meta - analysis, Resistance Training, strength and conditional training, Training effect
Received: 10 Oct 2025; Accepted: 12 Dec 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Zhao, Ya, Liu, Liu, Luo, Liu and Bu. 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:
Yujia Liu
Yifeng Bu
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