Effects of sprint distance and repetition number on energy system contributions in soccer players

Abstract

Background/objective This study aims to compare the effect of sprint distance and repetition number on performance, physiological responses, and energy systems contributions. Methods Eighteen male university league soccer players (age: 19.9 ± 1.6 years, height: 177.9 ± 4.7 cm, body mass: 72.4 ± 6.3 kg, percentage body fat: 8.9 ± 1.8, training experience: 7.4 ± 1.6 years) completed two different repeated sprint protocols: 20 × 20 m (20 × 20) and 10 × 40 m (10 × 40) with 15s and 30s rest intervals, respectively. Oxygen uptake (VO 2 ) were measured during the rest, exercise, and recovery phases. Rest and peak blood lactate concentrations were determined. Using VO 2 and lactate values, the energy system contributions were calculated using a mono-exponential model and mathematical calculations. Energy systems contributions and total energy expenditure (TEE) were calculated both for the entire protocol (overall) and for the sprints only. Results Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), peak and mean heart rate (HR) responses were significantly higher in the 20 × 20 whereas lactate response was higher in the 10 × 40. TEE was similar between the 10 × 40 (586.3 ± 60.8 kJ) and 20 × 20 (595.6 ± 57.5 kJ). For overall estimations, the 10 × 40 and 20 × 20 presented similar results of oxidative (47.5 ± 5.4 vs 45.7 ± 5.1 kJ min −1 ) and phosphagen (44.7 ± 5.4 vs (42.9 ± 4.8 kJ min −1 ) systems contributions whereas glycolytic contribution was higher in the 10 × 40 (15.5 ± 2.2 vs 12.8 ± 2.3 kJ min −1 ). For sprints only estimation, the phosphagen (257.6 ± 31.5 vs 225.2 ± 28.2 kJ min −1 ), glycolytic (89.4 ± 13.4 vs 67.3 ± 12.5 kJ min −1 ), and oxidative (76.9 ± 6.9 vs 72.0 ± 7.9 2 kJ min −1 ) systems contributions were higher in the 10 × 40. Conclusions Although HR and RPE responses were higher in the 20 × 20, phosphagen (during sprints) and glycolytic (during both sprints and overall protocol) were higher in the 10 × 40 protocol. Therefore, the 10 × 40 protocol seems more reasonable for developing or evaluating the anaerobic systems.

Effects of oral capsaicinoids and capsinoids supplementation on resistance and high intensity interval training: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials

“…One possible reason could be linked to rest intervals. While resistance training studies include efforts with a usual 90 s rest between "all-out" sets, sprints protocols used 35 seconds, which could modify energetic dynamic contributions (Neufer, 2018;Ulupınar et al, 2021). Other reason could be related to discomfort of capsaicin supplementation intake in gastrointestinal tract reported in the cited study where 13.5% of participants of withdraw before the end (Opheim & Rankin, 2012).…”

Low-to-Moderate Correlations Between Repeated Sprint Ability and Aerobic Capacity: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

“…Recent studies have revealed that sprint distance differs in energy metabolism in repeated sprint protocols. Two studies with a similar design showed more anaerobic glycolysis activity in 30-meter sprints than in 15-meter sprints (88) and in 40-meter sprints than in 20-meter sprints (89). These studies revealed that prolonging the single sprint distance can cause more lactate production even if the total distance is equal.…”

“…Scientific findings showed that training improves V̇O 2 kinetics during the fast phase of excess postexercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) and V̇O 2max (35,86,89). Complex physiological factors such as muscle fiber-type characteristics, mitochondrial density, oxidative enzyme activity, oxygen availability, capillary density, and muscle perfusion have the potential to reorganize V̇O 2 kinetics (11–13,35).…”

“…As mentioned, RSA, which is affected by many factors, causes contradictory results in the experimental studies (11,43,89). Some studies reported high correlations between aerobic capacity and repeated sprint indicators (20,21,35), whereas several showed no relationship (4,5,55).…”

“…Many coaches and researchers agree that RSA protocols are a valid and dynamically appropriate method because they reflect the actual movement mechanics on the field (30,56,87). RSA protocols contain multiple repetitions of maximal sprint bouts (mostly 40 meters and less or 6 seconds and less) with interspersed short recovery periods (mostly 30 seconds and less) (11,43,89).…”