The acute effects of different high-intensity conditioning activities on sprint performance differ between sprinters of different strength and power characteristics

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of different conditioning activities (CAs) on short-term increase in sprint performance. In twelve male sprinters (21.1±2.6 years, 100 m performance: 11.5±0.6 s) their body composition, half squat maximum strength, 100 m sprinting and countermovement jump performances were evaluated. The performance of a 50 m sprint (splits at 10 m, 30 m and 50 m) was evaluated before and 5, 10 and 15 min after four postactivation performance enhancement CAs on different occasions: [1] 3 sets x 4 s maximum isometric half squat (IHF), [2] 3 sets x 3 consecutive countermovement jumps (cCMJs), [3] 3 repetitions x 30 m overspeed sprinting (OVSP) and [4] dynamic submaximal half squat (2 sets x 2 reps x 90% of 1-RM half squat; HSQ). Significant improvements of sprinting performance were found 10 and 15 min following the cCMJs, OVSP and HSQ’s interventions, in all distances (p<.05; -2.14±1.21% and -3.56±2.47%), without any significant difference between these interventions and time points (p>.05). Significant inter-individual differences were found in the magnitude of sprint performance improvements as well as in the optimal time window (p<.05), with the stronger sprinters responding better after HSQs, while the more powerful sprinters after cCMJs and OVSPs. In conclusion, it seems that cCMJs, OVSP and HSQ can acutely increase sprinting performance after 10 min, but CA’s induced increases in sprinting performance are highly related to the strength and power characteristics of each sprinter.

The Effect of Acute Pre-Workout Supplement Ingestion on Basketball-Specific Performance of Well-Trained Athletes

“…Counter-movement jump (CMJ) performance was evaluated using a professional contact mat, which contains sensors that assess the strength exerted by the feet (CM 60 × 43, ALGE-TIMING, Lustenau, Austria), according to previously described protocols [ 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 ]. After a standard warm-up described above, athletes performed 3 CMJs with submaximal effort.…”

“…Sprint running performance, i.e., the shortest time needed to cover the distance of 20 m, was measured on a basketball court in accordance with previous reports [ 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 ]. The time was recorded using photocell gates (Photocell PR1aW, ALGE-TIMING, Lustenau, Austria, accuracy of 0.01 s) 0.4 m above the ground, set on the start (0 m) and finish (20 m) lines, with reflectors at 1 m. Participants initially performed three submaximal sprints, with three minutes of rest between them, and after 5 min, they performed three maximal sprints (standing start position), separated by 3 min intervals [ 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 ]. The best performance was retained for statistics (ICC = 0.91).…”

Effects of Four Weeks of In-Season Pre-Workout Supplementation on Performance, Body Composition, Muscle Damage, and Health-Related Markers in Basketball Players: A Randomized Controlled Study

“…Counter-movement jump (CMJ) performance was evaluated using a contact mat (CM 60 × 43, ALGE-TIMING, Lustenau, Austria) according to established protocols [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. After a standard warm-up, participants performed three submaximal CMJs.…”

Effects of Complex Vs. Compound Training on Competitive Throwing Performance

“…However, a study in moderately trained subjects reports that CPD training resulted in superior increases in muscle power compared with CPX training (33). These discrepancies could be attributed to the performance level of the subjects because it is believed that PAPE is more effective in well-trained and stronger athletes (4,13,20,(30)(31)(32). Although anecdotal reports and communications with coaches indicate that CPX and CPD training methods are regularly used during the annual training programs in track and field throwers, the effect of these 2 training methods has not been compared in this athletic population yet.…”

“…Although anecdotal reports and communications with coaches indicate that CPX and CPD training methods are regularly used during the annual training programs in track and field throwers, the effect of these 2 training methods has not been compared in this athletic population yet. Because the PAPE phenomenon is more pronounced in well-trained athletes with higher strength and power capacities (4,20,(30)(31)(32), it might be expected that CPX training would be more effective in well-trained throwers compared with CPD. However, this hypothesis has never been investigated.…”