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Int J Sports Med
DOI: 10.1055/a-2161-4867
Review

Olympic Weightlifting Training for Sprint Performance in Athletes: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis

Kristen Crenshaw
1   Sports Physical Therapy Residency program, UF Health, Gainesville, United States
,
Giorgio Zeppieri 
2   Rehabilitation, UF Health, Gainesville, United States
,
Cheng-Ju Hung
3   Department of Physical Therapy, UF Health, Gainesville, United States
,
Tania Schmitfranz
4   Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, United States
,
Patti McCall
5   George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida, Gainesville, United States
,
Greta Castellini
6   Orthopedics, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milano, Italy
,
Silvia Gianola
6   Orthopedics, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milano, Italy
,
Federico Pozzi
4   Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, United States
› Author Affiliations Funding Information Ministero della Salute – http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100003196; Linea 2 – Studi metodologici in ortopedia e riabil National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin disease – R21 AR077231
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Abstract

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine whether Olympic weightlifting (OW) exercises would improve sprint performance when compared to a control intervention, (no training, standard sport-specific training, traditional resistance training, or plyometric training). Medline, Web of Science, SportDiscus, CINAHL, and Biological Science from inception to September 2022 was searched. Two authors independently selected the included studies, extracted data, and appraised the risk of bias. Certainty of the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology. The primary meta-analysis combined the results of the sprint performance over the full length of each sprint test. The secondary meta-analyses combined the results of the sprint performance at 5, 10, and 20 m distance to capture information about the acceleration phase of the sprint tests. Eight studies with 206 athletes (female n=10, age range: 18.9–24.2 years) were identified. Sprint performance did not differ significantly comparing OW to the control intervention, nor at the full length (standardized mean difference=–0.07, 95% CI=–0.47 to 0.34, p=0.75, I2=46%) or during the acceleration phase (p≥0.26) of the sprint test. OW training does not improve sprint performance to a greater extent than comparator interventions.

Key words

olympic weightlifting - sprint - athletes - training

Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 30 December 2022

Accepted: 27 August 2023

Accepted Manuscript online:
28 August 2023

Article published online:
12 February 2024

© 2024. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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