The Effects of Different Speed Training Protocols on Sprint Acceleration Kinematics and Muscle Strength and Power in Field Sport Athletes

Abstract

A variety of resistance training interventions are used to improve field sport acceleration (e.g., free sprinting, weights, plyometrics, resisted sprinting). The effects these protocols have on acceleration performance and components of sprint technique have not been clearly defined in the literature. This study assessed 4 common protocols (free sprint training [FST], weight training [WT], plyometric training [PT], and resisted sprint training [RST]) for changes in acceleration kinematics, power, and strength in field sport athletes. Thirty-five men were divided into 4 groups (FST: n = 9; WT: n = 8; PT: n = 9; RST: n = 9) matched for 10-m velocity. Training involved two 60-minute sessions per week for 6 weeks. After the interventions, paired-sample t-tests identified significant (p ≤ 0.05) within-group changes. All the groups increased the 0- to 5-m and 0- to 10-m velocity by 9-10%. The WT and PT groups increased the 5- to 10-m velocity by approximately 10%. All the groups increased step length for all distance intervals. The FST group decreased 0- to 5-m flight time and step frequency in all intervals and increased 0- to 5-m and 0- to 10-m contact time. Power and strength adaptations were protocol specific. The FST group improved horizontal power as measured by a 5-bound test. The FST, PT, and RST groups all improved reactive strength index derived from a 40-cm drop jump, indicating enhanced muscle stretch-shortening capacity during rebound from impacts. The WT group increased absolute and relative strength measured by a 3-repetition maximum squat by approximately 15%. Step length was the major limiting sprint performance factor for the athletes in this study. Correctly administered, each training protocol can be effective in improving acceleration. To increase step length and improve acceleration, field sport athletes should develop specific horizontal and reactive power.

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

“…6v6 SSGs) (Hill-Haas et al, 2009). The inherent structure of the 12-player SST drill is more reflective of traditional sprint acceleration training, which tends to feature longer recovery periods between sprint efforts (Lockie et al, 2014a, Lockie et al, 2012, Spinks et al, 2007). An SST drill that features more players could potentially be used to target maximal sprint acceleration and direction changes, as longer recovery periods between high-intensity efforts could assist with attenuation the effects of fatigue decreasing performance.…”

“…The study occurred during the participants' competition season (Jovanovic et al, 2011, Lockie et al, 2012, Lockie et al, 2014b, Spinks et al, 2007, and they continued their existing physical activity during the study, which generally consisted of 2-3 field-and 1-2 gym-based sessions, and one game, per week. Participants were notified of the research procedures, requirements, benefits, and risks of participation, before providing written informed consent.…”

Fatigue index of female athletes in relation with body mass index

“…Sports specialist literature reveals that rugby is used for a variety of tests that measure the ability of the players and the motor default level of specific physical training. This makes it impossible to compare results obtained in previous studies by other authors (Johnston & Gabbet, 2011;Lockie, Murphy, Schultz, Knight, & de Jonge, 2012).…”

Effects of Resisted Sprint Training on Sprint Performance in High School Baseball Players

“…Several studies have reported the effects of resisted sprint training to increase sprint speed in the early part of and during the acceleration phase [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. The acute effects of this type of training are decreased stride length, increased trunk angle (the angle between the trunk and the vertical axis during sprint) and increased step frequency [15][16][17].…”

“…joint angle, stride length) were recognized to improve sprint speed in the early part of the acceleration phase [7-10, 12, 14]. Several previous studies on resisted sprint training focused on approximately 13% body mass loading to minimize loss of sprint specificity [8,10,11,17,18]. On the other hand, another study instead used a load based on the degree of decreasing sprint speed [9].…”