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

Abstract

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine whether Olympic weightlifting exercises would improve sprint performance when compared to a control intervention, (no training, sports-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, extracted data, and appraised the risk of bias in included studies. The 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 20m distance to capture information about 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 Olympic Weightlifting to control intervention, nor 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. Olympic Weightlifting training does not improve sprint performance to a greater extent than comparator interventions.