Effect of Traditional, Rest Redistribution, and Velocity-Based Prescription on Repeated Sprint Training Performance and Responses in Semiprofessional Athletes

Abstract

Weakley, J, Castilla, AP, Ramos, AG, Banyard, H, Thurlow, F, Edwards, T, Morrison, M, McMahon, E, and Owen, C. The effect of traditional, rest redistribution, and velocity-based prescription on repeated sprint training performance and responses in semi-professional athletes. J Strength Cond Res 37(8): 1566–1572, 2023—The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of traditional, rest redistribution, and velocity-based repeated sprint training methods on repeated sprint performance, perceived effort, heart rate, and changes in force-velocity-power (FVP) profiles in male semiprofessional athletes. In a randomized crossover design, a traditional (2 sets of 6 repetitions [TRAD]), 2 different rest redistribution (4 sets of 3 repetitions [RR4] and 12 sets of 1 repetition [RR12]), and a 5% velocity loss (VL5%) (12 repetitions, with sets terminated when a 5% reduction in mean velocity had occurred) condition were completed. Mean and peak velocity, mean heart rate, and differential ratings of perceived exertion (dRPE) were measured throughout each session, while horizontal FVP profiles were assessed presession and postsession. The RR4 and RR12 conditions allowed the greatest maintenance of velocity, while the RR4, RR12, and VL5% had a moderate, significantly greater mean heart rate than the traditional condition. Trivial, nonsignificant differences between all conditions were observed in dRPE of the legs and breathlessness and FVP profiles. These findings indicate that rest redistribution can allow for greater maintenance of sprint velocity and heart rate, without altering perceived effort during repeated sprint training. In addition, velocity-loss thresholds may be a feasible method of prescription if athletes have diverse physical qualities and reductions in sprint performance during repeated sprint training are undesirable. Practitioners should consider these outcomes when designing repeated sprint training sessions because the strategic use of these methods can alter sprint performance and internal load without changing perceptions of intensity.

The Effects and Reproducibility of 10, 20, and 30% Velocity Loss Thresholds on Acute and Short-Term Fatigue and Recovery Responses

“…At the completion of the training session, subjects immediately completed a CMJ and then waited, passively, for 15 minutes. Following this standardized 15-minute period, subjects were asked to provide a differential rating of perceived exertion for breathlessness (RPE-B) and exertion of the lower peripheries (RPE-L) (27,32). Finally, TMG assessment of the vastus lateralis and the 10 m sprint were repeated which took approximately 10 minutes.…”

Effects of Short-Rest Interval Time on Resisted Sprint Performance and Sprint Mechanical Variables in Elite Youth Soccer Players

“…The significance level was set at α = 0.05 and the power at 0.80. This analysis estimated that the minimum sample size required per group in a twosample t-test scenario would be 19 participants [22,37,39,56]. However, due to constraints in available resources and the high specificity of the elite athlete population targeted in our study, a smaller sample size was deemed necessary and acceptable.…”

“…Adaptation to these short rest intervals between sprints can enhance recovery mechanisms and the activity of enzymes involved in both aerobic and anaerobic energy production [19]. Therefore, coaches may attempt to reduce rest intervals or increase training volume to achieve high intensities, but this approach could lead to exhaustion, and adversely affect sprint mechanics [14,17,[20][21][22][23][24]. Moreover, while players and coaches often expect this training to enhance explosive acceleration from the start (0-20 m), research has revealed that it works best at 20-30 m [15,18,25,26].…”

“…Explosive acceleration sprints require producing horizontal forces in the anteriorposterior (AP) direction onto the ground with effective mechanics to reduce braking forces and enhance propulsion [10,[27][28][29][30][31][32]. However, continued training with altered sprint mechanics due to short rest intervals could affect athletes' movement patterns as they adapt to compensated sprint patterns [13,14,17,[21][22][23][24]33]. This adaptation can cause changes in the maximum velocity sprint mechanics and performance [28,30,34,35].…”

“…This adaptation can cause changes in the maximum velocity sprint mechanics and performance [28,30,34,35]. To address these issues, several researchers have studied methods to maintain high sprint performance during repeated sprint training by manipulating the distance, rest periods, and volume distribution [22,[36][37][38][39]. However, these attempts have been limited to improving the sprint mechanics and ground force output directly and, also, the opportunity for enhancement and adaptation of the energy metabolism system required by soccer players may be reduced.…”