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The Sensitivity of Isometric Versus Ballistic Measures of Rapid Force Production Following Ballistic Speed-Strength
Lachlan P James1, Scott W Talpey1, Luke R Stutter1
1Sport, Performance, and Nutrition Research Group, School of Allied Health, Human Services, & Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Background:
Accurate assessment of rapid force production is essential for monitoring adaptations to ballistic speed-strength training, a modality central to athletic performance enhancement. Both dynamic (eg, countermovement-jump height or drop-jump reactive strength index) and isometric (eg, rate of force development) tests are commonly used, yet their relative sensitivity to training-induced change remains unclear.
Purpose:
To systematically review and analyze the literature to establish whether measures of dynamic or isometric rapid force production were more sensitive to ballistic speed-strength training. In addition, subgroup analysis was performed to evaluate whether the type and temporal aspects of isometric test and associated measures had an impact on the effect.
Methods:
A systematic search of databases for eligible articles was conducted up to February 2025. A multivariate random-effects meta-analysis with adjustment for within-study dependencies was employed.
Results:
Five studies yielded 15 isometric-dynamic change comparisons, and a total of 82 participants were included in the final analysis. The pooled analysis indicated no significant difference between isometric and dynamic measures following ballistic speed-strength training. Prediction intervals were wide, indicating substantial variability in outcomes across settings. Subgroup analyses similarly revealed no consistent moderating effect.
Conclusions:
The magnitude of change in isometric versus dynamic measures of rapid force production can be expected to vary considerably in future practical or experimental settings following ballistic speed-strength training. Practitioners should closely monitor individual responses and avoid assuming uniform training effects for these 2 forms of testing across all athletes.
