The Impact of Aquatic Training on Athletic Performance and Physical Recovery in Competitive Athletes: A Meta-Analysis
Abstract
Abstract: Zheng, S, Wang, S, Cao, Q, and Li, H. The impact of aquatic training on athletic performance and physical recovery in competitive athletes: A meta-analysis. J Strength Cond Res 40(6): 723-737, 2026-To evaluate the effects of aquatic training on performance and physical recovery in competitive athletes, particularly its impact on explosive power, speed, agility, strength, aerobic capacity, and balance. This study used a meta-analysis approach to search relevant literature in the Web of Science and Scopus databases since their inception. The selected studies were limited to English-language articles that met predefined inclusion criteria. All included studies were randomized controlled trials or controlled experiments, with subjects being competitive athletes with a systematic training background. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) were used for data analysis, and statistical analysis was conducted using R (version 4.3.0). A total of 13 studies were included in the analysis, with 392 subjects. Aquatic training significantly improved athletes' explosive power (SMD = 0.79, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.0.50 to 1.07, p < 0.001), speed (SMD = 1.14, 95% CI = 0.89 to 1.38, p < 0.001), and agility (SMD = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.0.15 to 0.78, p = 0.004). However, the improvement in strength (SMD = 0.32, 95% CI = -0.32 to 0.96, p = 0.321) and balance (SMD = 0.42, 95% CI = -0.35 to 1.19, p = 0.282) was not statistically significant, and there was high heterogeneity in the…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 392 participants or records.
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