Application of mobility training methods in sporting populations: A systematic review of performance adaptations

This systematic review investigates influences of mobility training in sporting populations on performance outcomes. The search strategy involved Embase, MEDLINE Complete, Sports Discus and manual search from inception to March 2022. Mobility training studies with a minimum three-week, or 10-session duration in healthy sporting populations of any age were included. Twenty-two studies comprising predominantly young adult or junior athletes were analysed from 319 retrieved articles. Performance outcomes were strength, speed, change of direction, jumping, balance, and sport-specific skills. Fifteen studies randomized participants with only four indicating systematic allocation concealment and blinding of outcomes assessors in only one study. In 20 of 22 studies mobility training was of some benefit or helped to maintain sports performance to a larger degree than control conditions. Control conditions, which were generally no activity conditions, were primarily non-significant. The majority of evidence suggests that a range of mobility training methods may improve key sports performance variables or are unlikely to impair performance over time. Therefore, coaches can consider the potential benefits of including comprehensive mobility programmes with minimal risk of impairing performance. Higher-quality studies in homogenous populations are necessary to confirm performance changes.