Impact of Lower-Volume Training on Physical Fitness Adaptations in Team Sports Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Abstract Background A small number of reviews have explored lower- versus higher-volume training in non-athletes, but the growing challenge of congested schedules in team sports highlights the need to synthesize evidence specific to team sport athletes. Thus, the objectives of this systematic review...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Sports Medicine - Open |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-024-00808-3 |
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| author | Filipe Manuel Clemente Rodrigo Ramirez-Campillo Jason Moran Piotr Zmijewski Rui Miguel Silva Morten Bredsgaard Randers |
| author_facet | Filipe Manuel Clemente Rodrigo Ramirez-Campillo Jason Moran Piotr Zmijewski Rui Miguel Silva Morten Bredsgaard Randers |
| author_sort | Filipe Manuel Clemente |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background A small number of reviews have explored lower- versus higher-volume training in non-athletes, but the growing challenge of congested schedules in team sports highlights the need to synthesize evidence specific to team sport athletes. Thus, the objectives of this systematic review with meta-analysis are twofold: (i) to summarize the primary physiological and physical fitness outcomes of lower-volume versus higher-volume training interventions in team sports players; and (ii) to compare the effects of lower-volume training with higher, considering the training modalities used. Methods We conducted searches across key databases, including PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science. We included team sports players with at least a trained or developmental level, focusing on studies comparing different training volumes (lower vs higher) within the same research. Lower volume training was defined in comparison to another load, emphasizing smaller training volume in terms of repetitions, duration, or frequency. The studies had to examine key physical performance adaptations and use two-arm or multi-arm designs. Methodological assessments of the included studies were performed using the Rob2 and ROBINS-I instruments, with evidence certainty evaluated through GRADE. Results The initial search yielded 5,188 records, with 17 articles deemed eligible for the review. There was a non-significant trend favoring the higher-volume training group over the lower-volume group in resistance-based training when considering all pooled physical fitness outcomes (effect size − 0.05, 95% CI − 0.19 to 0.09, p = 0.506, I 2 = 0.0%). A meta-analysis was not conducted for aerobic-based training due to only two studies being available, with one showing that lower volume training improved maximal oxygen uptake by 3.8% compared to 1.3% for higher volume, while the other indicated that lower training volumes enhanced performance by 1.6% versus 0.8%. The evidence certainty for physical performance outcomes was very low. Conclusions In newly introduced resistance training, lower volumes—regardless of repetitions or frequency—can achieve similar fitness gains to higher volumes. More pronounced tapering also appears more effective for supercompensation. However, the variability in study designs and training methods makes it difficult to establish a clear minimal dose. The main contribution of this review is mapping current research, providing a foundation for future studies and training optimization. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9fbbe8040922402d98f86013f8a6fc55 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2198-9761 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Sports Medicine - Open |
| spelling | doaj-art-9fbbe8040922402d98f86013f8a6fc552025-01-26T12:35:39ZengSpringerOpenSports Medicine - Open2198-97612025-01-0111113610.1186/s40798-024-00808-3Impact of Lower-Volume Training on Physical Fitness Adaptations in Team Sports Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysisFilipe Manuel Clemente0Rodrigo Ramirez-Campillo1Jason Moran2Piotr Zmijewski3Rui Miguel Silva4Morten Bredsgaard Randers5Escola Superior Desporto e Lazer, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do CasteloExercise and Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Universidad Andres BelloSchool of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences, University of EssexJozef Pilsudski University of Physical Education in WarsawEscola Superior Desporto e Lazer, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do CasteloDepartment of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, SDU Sport and Health Sciences Cluster, University of Southern DenmarkAbstract Background A small number of reviews have explored lower- versus higher-volume training in non-athletes, but the growing challenge of congested schedules in team sports highlights the need to synthesize evidence specific to team sport athletes. Thus, the objectives of this systematic review with meta-analysis are twofold: (i) to summarize the primary physiological and physical fitness outcomes of lower-volume versus higher-volume training interventions in team sports players; and (ii) to compare the effects of lower-volume training with higher, considering the training modalities used. Methods We conducted searches across key databases, including PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science. We included team sports players with at least a trained or developmental level, focusing on studies comparing different training volumes (lower vs higher) within the same research. Lower volume training was defined in comparison to another load, emphasizing smaller training volume in terms of repetitions, duration, or frequency. The studies had to examine key physical performance adaptations and use two-arm or multi-arm designs. Methodological assessments of the included studies were performed using the Rob2 and ROBINS-I instruments, with evidence certainty evaluated through GRADE. Results The initial search yielded 5,188 records, with 17 articles deemed eligible for the review. There was a non-significant trend favoring the higher-volume training group over the lower-volume group in resistance-based training when considering all pooled physical fitness outcomes (effect size − 0.05, 95% CI − 0.19 to 0.09, p = 0.506, I 2 = 0.0%). A meta-analysis was not conducted for aerobic-based training due to only two studies being available, with one showing that lower volume training improved maximal oxygen uptake by 3.8% compared to 1.3% for higher volume, while the other indicated that lower training volumes enhanced performance by 1.6% versus 0.8%. The evidence certainty for physical performance outcomes was very low. Conclusions In newly introduced resistance training, lower volumes—regardless of repetitions or frequency—can achieve similar fitness gains to higher volumes. More pronounced tapering also appears more effective for supercompensation. However, the variability in study designs and training methods makes it difficult to establish a clear minimal dose. The main contribution of this review is mapping current research, providing a foundation for future studies and training optimization.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-024-00808-3Team sportsSports trainingTraining methodologyTraining load |
| spellingShingle | Filipe Manuel Clemente Rodrigo Ramirez-Campillo Jason Moran Piotr Zmijewski Rui Miguel Silva Morten Bredsgaard Randers Impact of Lower-Volume Training on Physical Fitness Adaptations in Team Sports Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Sports Medicine - Open Team sports Sports training Training methodology Training load |
| title | Impact of Lower-Volume Training on Physical Fitness Adaptations in Team Sports Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis |
| title_full | Impact of Lower-Volume Training on Physical Fitness Adaptations in Team Sports Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis |
| title_fullStr | Impact of Lower-Volume Training on Physical Fitness Adaptations in Team Sports Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Impact of Lower-Volume Training on Physical Fitness Adaptations in Team Sports Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis |
| title_short | Impact of Lower-Volume Training on Physical Fitness Adaptations in Team Sports Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis |
| title_sort | impact of lower volume training on physical fitness adaptations in team sports players a systematic review and meta analysis |
| topic | Team sports Sports training Training methodology Training load |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-024-00808-3 |
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