This meta-analysis investigated the effects of trunk muscle training (TMT) on physical fitness (e.g., maximal muscle strength, CODS/agility, linear sprint speed) and sport-specific performance (e.g., throwing velocity, drive distance, swimming time) in apparently healthy, competitive athletes.

Overall, our analyses showed small-to-large effects of TMT on physical fitness and moderate effects on sport-specific performance in favor of TMT, when compared to active controls.

Participants’ age significantly modulated on CODS/agility with a positive effect of TMT in children.

In terms of training-related programming parameters, a larger effect of TMT on physical fitness was found for higher volume (> 18 sessions) and shorter duration (≤ 30 min) of sessions.