Repeated-Sprint Ability – Part II

Abstract

Short-duration sprints, interspersed with brief recoveries, are common during most team sports. The ability to produce the best possible average sprint performance over a series of sprints (≤10 seconds), separated by short (≤60 seconds) recovery periods has been termed repeated-sprint ability (RSA). RSA is therefore an important fitness requirement of team-sport athletes, and it is important to better understand training strategies that can improve this fitness component. Surprisingly, however, there has been little research about the best training methods to improve RSA. In the absence of strong scientific evidence, two principal training theories have emerged. One is based on the concept of training specificity and maintains that the best way to train RSA is to perform repeated sprints. The second proposes that training interventions that target the main factors limiting RSA may be a more effective approach. The aim of this review (Part II) is to critically analyse training strategies to improve both RSA and the underlying factors responsible for fatigue during repeated sprints (see Part I of the preceding companion article). This review has highlighted that there is not one type of training that can be recommended to best improve RSA and all of the factors believed to be responsible for performance decrements during repeated-sprint tasks. This is not surprising, as RSA is a complex fitness component that depends on both metabolic (e.g. oxidative capacity, phosphocreatine recovery and H+ buffering) and neural factors (e.g. muscle activation and recruitment strategies) among others. While different training strategies can be used in order to improve each of these potential limiting factors, and in turn RSA, two key recommendations emerge from this review; it is important to include (i) some training to improve single-sprint performance (e.g. 'traditional' sprint training and strength/power training); and (ii) some high-intensity (80-90% maximal oxygen consumption) interval training to best improve the ability to recover between sprints. Further research is required to establish whether it is best to develop these qualities separately, or whether they can be developed concurrently (without interference effects). While research has identified a correlation between RSA and total sprint distance during soccer, future studies need to address whether training-induced changes in RSA also produce changes in match physical performance.

Influence of the Number of Trials and the Exercise to Rest Ratio in Repeated Sprint Ability, With Changes of Direction and Orientation

“…The different muscle effort required to perform these specific motor tasks, in which the construct of agility might play an important role (1,3,(26)(27)(28). We also sought to determine if there were significant differences and associations between the sprint tests and the lower limb explosive power, measured through the CMJ and the stiffness tests, performed before and after each sprint test.…”

“…In recent years, the studies on repeated sprint ability (RSA) in team sports (i.e., the ability to repeat and sustain significant acceleration, lasting for a few seconds each time (z1-10 seconds) but taking place many times during a match, with intermittent recovery periods, dictated by the technical and tactical contingency of the game), have highlighted the key role played by this ability, considered among insiders and practitioners as one of the most important indicators in discriminating elite players from subelite players (1,4,7,12,13,17,(21)(22)(23).…”

“…Training sessions aimed at improving the RSA are usually designed as repetitions and sets of sprints, with a recovery time according to a 1:5 exercise to rest ratio, i.e., for each working second, 5 seconds of passive rest should be observed (1,(8)(9)(10)19). The purpose of these methods is to stress the capacity of the alactacid anaerobic system, primarily through the progressive fatigue induced by the repeated trials; nevertheless, the aim of this method (6) is also to keep the level of performance within a certain degree of decay (7-10%, according to different authors), i.e., the ability to sustain that kind of physical effort still definable as belonging to the domain of speed (or agility).…”

Salbutamol effects on systemic potassium dynamics during and following intense continuous and intermittent exercise

“…This is the first report of arterial [K + ] during HI int , comprising brief sprints repeated in bursts to simulate intense activity undertaken in many team sports (Bishop et al 2011 (Krustrup et al 2006;Wylie et al 2013;Mohr et al 2011;Mohr et al 2007;Duffield and Marino 2007;Mohr et al 2006;Struthers et al 1988). …”

“…Numerous sports with high-participation rates feature intermittent high intensity exercise, comprising repeated brief sprints and short recovery intervals, including various football codes, basketball, netball and field hockey (Bishop et al 2011). The antecubital venous [K + ] reported during intense intermittent exercise varies, reaching 4.3 mM during squash (Struthers et al 1988), 5.1 mM during soccer (Krustrup et al 2006), and 5.5-6 mM during repeated intermittent sprint testing (Wylie et al 2013;Mohr et al 2011;Mohr et al 2007;Duffield and Marino 2007;Mohr et al 2006 O 2 peak for use on the same cycle ergometer in the subsequent experimental trials.…”