Performance and physiological responses to repeated-sprint exercise: a novel multiple-set approach

Abstract

We investigated the acute and chronic responses to multiple sets of repeated-sprint exercise (RSE), focusing on changes in acceleration, intermittent running capacity and physiological responses. Ten healthy young adults (7 males, 3 females) performed an incremental test, a Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level1 (Yo-Yo IR1), and one session of RSE. RSE comprised three sets of 5 × 4-s maximal sprints on a non-motorised treadmill, with 20 s of passive recovery between repetitions and 4.5 min of passive recovery between sets. After ten repeated-sprint training sessions, participants repeated all tests. During RSE, performance was determined by measuring acceleration, mean and peak power/velocity. Recovery heart rate (HR), HR variability, and finger-tip capillary lactate concentration ([Lac(-)]) were measured. Performance progressively decreased across the three sets of RSE, with the indices of repeated-sprint ability being impaired to a different extent before and after training. Training induced a significant increase (p < 0.05) in all indices of performance, particularly acceleration (21.9, 14.7 and 15.2% during sets 1, 2 and 3, respectively). Training significantly increased Yo-Yo IR1 performance by 8% and decreased Δ[Lac(-)]/work ratio (-15.2, -15.5, -9.4% during sets 1, 2 and 3, respectively) and recovery HR during RSE. There were strong correlations between Yo-Yo IR1 performance and indices of RSE performance, especially acceleration post-training (r = 0.88, p = 0.004). Repeated-sprint training, comprising only 10 min of exercise overall, effectively improved performance during multiple-set RSE. This exercise model better reflects team-sport activities than single-set RSE. The rapid training-induced improvement in acceleration, quantified here for the first time, has wide applications for professional and recreational sport activities.

The Effect of Changing Player Numbers on the Physiological Responses and Time-motion Characteristics of a Soccer-Specific Training Drill

“…Soccer players complete many direction changes during a match (Bloomfield et al, 2007), and frequent accelerations and decelerations combine to stress the anaerobic capacity of players (Serpiello et al, 2011). This was a feature of the SST drill design from this study (Figure 1).…”

“…Indeed, an important physiological trait of successful soccer players is RSA, as this encompasses the capability to repeatedly perform repeat short high-intensity sprints , Dellal et al, 2010, Serpiello et al, 2011. A number of studies have examined the RSA of team sport athletes, using maximal sprint efforts lasting approximately 5 s, interspersed with recovery periods between 40-56 s (Bishop et al, 2001, Fitzsimmons et al, 1993, Impellizzeri et al, 2008, Spencer et al, 2005.…”

“…Another important consideration for team sport athletes is the ability to accelerate (Lockie et al, 2011, Serpiello et al, 2011. Soccer players complete many direction changes during a match (Bloomfield et al, 2007), and frequent accelerations and decelerations combine to stress the anaerobic capacity of players (Serpiello et al, 2011).…”

The role of CaMKII in regulating GLUT4 expression in skeletal muscle

“…Serpiello et al (96) have recently shown that CaMKII phosphorylation increased 69% after an acute repeated sprint exercise. We (99) have previously reported a marked increase in CaMK autonomous activity and CaMK phosphorylation in rats after exercise.…”

A Combination of Amino Acids and Caffeine Enhances Sprint Running Capacity in a Hot, Hypoxic Environment

“…Mean power, peak power and peak velocities during the exercise protocol were recorded 8 by the treadmill force transducer at 25 Hz. Performance data were stored and analyzed as 141 described previously (Serpiello et al 2011 The knee extension protocol used has been described in detail elsewhere (Billaut et al 2013). …”