Abstract
BACKGROUND: Repeated sprint training (RST) on the field has been employed as a time-efficient training strategy to enhance key physical performance in soccer players, such as short-sprint ability and repeated sprint ability (RSA). However, existing evidence regarding the effects of RST on comprehensive physical performance remains inconsistent, with previous reviews limited by methodological heterogeneity and insufficient statistical power. Therefore, this study aims to systematically review and quantify the effects of field-based RST on multiple physical performance indicators in soccer players through a multilevel meta-analysis. METHODS: This study adhered to the PRISMA guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO. A systematic search was conducted across databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and EBSCO from inception until August 2025. Randomized controlled trials comparing field-based RST with control training were included. Using the metafor package in R (version 4.2.1), a multilevel random-effects model was constructed to synthesize non-independent effect sizes and accurately estimate within-group correlations. Effect sizes were expressed as Hedges' g with 95% confidence intervals. Parameters were estimated using restricted maximum likelihood, and the orchard package was employed for moderator analysis and result visualization. Heterogeneity was assessed via multilevel I(2) statistics. RESULTS: A total of 17 RCTs (386 participants) were included. The analysis revealed that RST significantly improved short-sprint ability (g = -0.26, 95% CI [-0.50, -0.03], p = 0.03), RSA (g = -0.37, 95% CI [-0.67, -0.08], p = 0.02), change of direction (CoD) ability (g = -0.70, 95% CI [-1.14, -0.25], p < 0.01) and high-intensity running (HIR) performance (g = 0.97, 95% CI [0.50, 1.43], p < 0.01). In contrast, RST did not yield significant overall effects on vertical jump (VJ) performance (g = -0.07, 95% CI [-0.40, 0.25], p = 0.64) or aerobic capacity (g = 0.02, 95% CI [-0.45, 0.50], p = 0.87). Most outcomes exhibited low heterogeneity (I(2) ≤ 25.7%), with only RSA and VJ performance showing low-to-moderate heterogeneity. CONCLUSION: Field-based RST effectively enhances short-sprint ability, RSA, CoD ability and HIR performance in soccer players. However, its limited effects on VJ performance, and aerobic capacity. Future research should focus on clarifying dose-response relationships and integrating sport-specific movements and individual characteristics to optimize training prescriptions.