High-load resistance training is a common method for developing power, but it may interfere with adolescents' bone development, increasing the risk of epiphyseal injuries and compensatory movements. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate alternative training methods that can enhance power development while safeguarding bone health. One promising approach is unstable surface training (UST), which enhances neuromuscular coordination and core stability while reducing joint stress. Although UST has demonstrated potential benefits in other areas, its effectiveness in improving power remains unclear. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the impact of UST on power development in adolescents and identify the optimal training parameters, thus providing an evidence-based solution for adolescents' physical development. Method: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus for eligible studies from their inception to November 2024. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of UST on power in adolescents were included. A meta-analysis was conducted for each outcome using a random-effects model for subgroup analysis and overall effect size estimation. Methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro scale. Meta-analyses were performed in Stata 17.0, applying random-effects models, Cohen’s d correction for effect size estimation, I ² statistics to assess heterogeneity, and Egger’s regression test to evaluate publication bias. We included 8 studies with 30 effect sizes and 877 participants. The results showed that unstable surface training had a small overall effect on power in adolescents (SMD = 0.24, p = 0.02). Subgroup analyses revealed three key factors: participants with over 2 years of training history showed greater benefits (SMD = 0.37, p = 0.005); combining unstable surface training with plyometrics had a synergistic effect (SMD = 0.36, p 0.05). UST significantly promotes power development in adolescents. For those with a foundation in systematic training, combining plyometric exercises with specific parameters (3 sessions per week, 25 minutes each, for 8 weeks) may produce optimal results. This study also confirms UST’s potential in sport science, suggesting further research is needed to refine and enhance training interventions.
Li et al. (Thu,) studied this question.