Factors Influencing the Efficacy of Concurrent Training in Team Sports: A Narrative Review

Concurrent training (CT)-the integration of strength and endurance exercises within the same session or cycle-is widely implemented in team sports. However, its optimal configuration and the conditions under which the so-called "interference effect" occurs remain subjects of debate. This narrative review critically examines the factors influencing CT efficacy in team sports, emphasizing the roles of training sequence, inter-session recovery, the endurance-training modality, and athletes' strength levels. Thirteen experimental studies involving male and female athletes from various team sports and competitive levels were analyzed. The evidence suggests that CT may effectively enhance both strength and endurance capacities when properly structured. Performing strength training before endurance training, or separating sessions by at least six hours, appears to minimize neuromuscular fatigue and preserve positive performance adaptations. Conversely, high volumes of endurance training or insufficient recovery periods tend to intensify the interference effects, particularly in speed- and power-related outcomes, which are often more pronounced in top-level athletes. Overall, CT may be a viable strategy for optimizing multiple physical qualities in team-sport environments, provided that its variables are carefully and systematically manipulated. This review also highlights the need for long-term interventions and female-specific studies to refine current practices and strengthen the evidence base in applied high-performance settings.