Evolution of Determinant Factors of Repeated Sprint Ability

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in the relationships between repeated sprint ability (RSA) and anthropometric measures as well as fitness qualities in soccer players. Twenty-one professional soccer players performed several anthropometric and physical tests including countermovement vertical jumps (CMJs), a straight-line 30 m sprint (T30), an RSA test (6 x 20 + 20 m with 20 s recovery), a progressive isoinertial loading test in a full squat, a Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level-1 (YYIRT-1) and a 20 m shuttle run test (20mSRT). The mean (RSAmean), the fastest (RSAbest), each single sprint time, and the percentage in a sprint decrease (%Dec) in the RSA test were calculated. RSAbest correlated significantly with RSAmean (r = .82) and with all single sprints (p < 0.05), showing a downward trend as the number of sprints performed increased. No significant relationship was observed between the %Dec and RSA performance. CMJs and the T30 also showed a correlation with RSA performance, whereas lower limb strength did not show any relationship with RSA performance. RSAmean showed significant (p < 0.05) relationships with body mass (r = .44), adiposity (r = .59) and the YYIRT-1 (r = -.62), increasing as the number of repeated sprints increased. The 20mSRT showed minimal relationships with RSA performance. In conclusion, maximal sprint capacity seems to be relevant for the RSA performance, mainly in the first sprints. However, high intermittent endurance capacity and low adiposity might help enhance the RSA performance when increasing the number of repeated sprints.

Anthropometry, Physical and Movement Features, and Repeated-sprint Ability in Soccer Players

“…Yo by Pareja-Blanco et al [39], in which the best performance on 20 m sprint was associated with a higher %Sdec. The RSA, MT and BT components were also highly correlated with aerobic fitness level evaluated using the Yo-Yo test.…”

The relationship among repeated sprint and change of direction abilities in football players with cerebral palsy

“…However, the performance of several sprints in a short period is limited due to the human capacity to fully activate the muscles, maintain muscular recruitment, and modulate the presence of fatigue (Girard, et al, 2011). Our study reveals that football players with CP have lower performance in RSA compared to football players without disability (Impellizzeri, et al, 2008;Pareja-Blanco, et al, 2016;Rampinini, et al, 2009). These results can be explained by the fact that individuals with CP are compromised in producing muscle power because of their limited motor control, muscular weakness, or incomplete recruitment of motor units during voluntary muscular contraction (Graham et al, 2016;Verschuren, Peterson, Balemans, & Hurvitz, 2016).…”

Effects of Resistance Training and Combined Training Program on Repeated Sprint Ability in Futsal Players

“…In this regard, a decrement in S dec has been considered as an indicator of RSA improvement. However, changes in S dec should be interpreted cautiously, since a smaller S dec may be associated with smaller amounts of work performed during the initial sprints [22,34], which indicates worse performance during the RSA test. Similarly, it is possible to find an increase in RSA perfor- 175.0 ± 9.8 -0.9 − 0.12 CG: control group; SG: full squat group; S + CDG: full squat combined with direction changes of group; pre: initial evaluation; post: final evaluation; ES: intragroups effects size; Δ: pre-post change; 1RMest: estimated one-repetition maximum; RSA mean : mean sprint time of the nine sprints; RSA best : best sprint time of the nine sprints; S dec : percent sprint decrement for the nine sprints; GCT mean : mean ground contact time of the nine sprints; SL: mean step length of the nine sprints; T10: sprint time for 10 m; T20: sprint time for 20 m. Significant "time × group" interaction: # P < 0.05, ### P < 0.001.…”

“…In agreement with other stu dies [28,29], these results suggest that the influence of strength improvement (1RM) decreases as the number of sprints increases. In this regard, it seems that as the number of sprints increases, the aerobic contribution could be more relevant in RSA performance [17,34]. Therefore, according to the results of the present study, in order to improve sprint time in the first efforts and the ability to perform repetitive high-intensity running while avoiding fatigue, it appears that training programs including resistance exercises such as full squat exercise and high intensity actions such as CD exercise in several sets could be an effective approach, as RT alone seem to induce improvements only in the first sprints.…”