Table 1.
Summary of the studies comparing the effects of plyometric vs. resistance training on measures of muscle hypertrophy.
| Study | Sample; training duration (weekly frequency) | Plyometric training | Resistance training | Muscle group measured and measurement tool | Study results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Earp et al. (2015)10 | 27 young untrained men; 8 weeks (3 days/week) | Parallel-depth or volitional-depth jump squats performed for 5–7 sets and 5–6 repetitions with loads between 0%–30% 1RMa | Parallel-depth squat performed for 3 sets and 3–8 repetitions with loads between 75%–90% 1RM | QF, VL, VI, VM, RF; B-mode ultrasound | Significant pre-to-post increase in muscle size in all groups and at all sites (except for RF), with no between-group differences |
| Kubo et al. (2007)11b | 10 young untrained men; 12 weeks (4 days/week) | Hopping and drop jump performed for 5 sets and 10 repetitions with loads of 40% 1RM | Calf raises performed for 5 sets and 10 repetitions with 80% 1RM | MG, LG, SOL; MRI | Significant pre-to-post increase in muscle size in both groups with no between-group differences |
| Kubo et al. (2017)12b | 11 young untrained men; 12 weeks (3 days/week) | Hopping and drop jump performed for 5 sets and 10 repetitions with loads of 40% 1RM | Isometric plantar flexion exercise performed for 10 contractions at 80% MVC for 15 s | MG, LG, SOL, PF; B-mode ultrasound | Significant pre-to-post increase in muscle size in both groups with no between-group differences |
| McKinlay et al. (2018)13 | 27 young (age: 11–13 years) male soccer players; 8 weeks (3 days/week) | Countermovement jumps, knees-to-chest jumps, drop jumps, consecutive long jumps, jump lunges, straight-legged jumps with toe-touch, side-to-side lateral hops, high-knee skips, hop and skip jumps, 1-legged countermovement jumps, 1-legged knees-to-chest jumps, and 1-legged consecutive long jumps performed for 3 sets and 12 repetitions | Squats, lunge, step-ups, calf-raises, wide-stance-squats, raised-rear-foot lunge, 1-legged sit-to-stand rises, and 1-legged squats performed for 3 sets of 8–12 repetitions with 80% 1RM | VL; B-mode ultrasound | Significant pre-to-post increase in muscle size in both groups with no between-group differences |
| Váczi et al. (2014)14 | 16 recreationally active older men; 10 weeks (2–3 days/week) | Knee extensions performed for 4 sets and 8–14 repetitions in an SSC type of contraction | Knee extensions performed for 4 sets and 8–14 repetitions in an eccentric muscle action | QF; MRI | Significant pre-to-post increase in muscle size in both groups with no between-group differences |
| Vissing et al. (2008)15 | 15 young untrained men; 12 weeks (3 days/week) | Countermovement jumps, hurdle jumps, and drop jumps performed for 2–15 sets and 3–15 repetitions | Leg press, knee extensions, and hamstring curl performed for 3–5 sets and 4–12 repetitions | QF, HM, and AD; Type I and Type II muscle fiber CSA; MRI and muscle biopsy | Significant pre-to-post increase in quadriceps, hamstrings, and adductor CSA in both groups with no-between group differences; significant pre-to-post increase in Type I and Type IIa fiber CSA only in the group performing resistance training; no significant pre-to-post changes at the muscle fiber CSA in the group performing plyometric training |
a Squat jumps were performed with a countermovement.
b Within-subject study design
Abbreviations: 1RM = 1 repetition maximum; AD = adductor; CSA = cross-sectional area; HM = hamstrings; LG = lateral gastrocnemius; MG = medial gastrocnemius; MRI = magnetic resonance imaging; MVC = maximum voluntary contraction; PF = plantar flexor; QF = quadriceps femoris; RF = rectus femoris; SOL = soleus; SSC = stretch-shortening cycle; VI = vastus intermedius; VL= vastus lateralis; VM = vastus medialis.