Physical training interventions and their impact on sports performance, health, and physical education: A systematic review

Background: Physical training interventions have become central to improving sports performance, health, and physical education outcomes. Despite a growing body of evidence, the field lacks consolidated synthesis across diverse modalities such as yoga, Zumba, plyometric/core training, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), perturbation balance training, and game-based learning. Objective: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of structured physical training interventions in enhancing physiological, motor, and educational outcomes among children, adolescents, and young adults, while also examining their health-promoting potential in sedentary populations. Methods: Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, SPORTDiscus, and CENTRAL for studies published between 2010 and 2025. Eligible designs included randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, and cross-sectional analyses focusing on structured training interventions. Data extraction captured intervention type, population, outcomes, and methodological quality. Risk of bias was assessed using RoB 2 for RCTs and ROBINS-I for non-randomized studies. Results: A total of 60 studies were included. Yoga and Zumba interventions consistently improved flexibility, balance, cardiovascular fitness, and activity adherence. Plyometric and core programs enhanced agility, explosive strength, and sport-specific skills, while HIIT yielded large effects on VO₂max, sprint ability, and agility among adolescent athletes. Perturbation-based balance training improved postural control and reduced injury risk. Game-based learning strategies enhanced motor competence, teamwork, and educational engagement, with cross-sectional evidence highlighting gender and BMI influences on motor skill performance. Conclusion: Physical training interventions serve a dual role in optimizing athletic performance and promoting health. Integrating evidence-based programs into sports training and physical education curricula can foster physical literacy, resilience, and long-term engagement in active lifestyles. Future research should prioritize standardized protocols, larger sample sizes, and longitudinal evaluations.