Effects of Three Types of Resisted Sprint Training Devices on the Kinematics of Sprinting at Maximum Velocity

Abstract

Resisted sprint running is a common training method for improving sprint-specific strength. For maximum specificity of training, the athlete's movement patterns during the training exercise should closely resemble those used when performing the sport. The purpose of this study was to compare the kinematics of sprinting at maximum velocity to the kinematics of sprinting when using three of types of resisted sprint training devices (sled, parachute, and weight belt). Eleven men and 7 women participated in the study. Flying sprints greater than 30 m were recorded by video and digitized with the use of biomechanical analysis software. The test conditions were compared using a 2-way analysis of variance with a post-hoc Tukey test of honestly significant differences. We found that the 3 types of resisted sprint training devices are appropriate devices for training the maximum velocity phase in sprinting. These devices exerted a substantial overload on the athlete, as indicated by reductions in stride length and running velocity, but induced only minor changes in the athlete's running technique. When training with resisted sprint training devices, the coach should use a high resistance so that the athlete experiences a large training stimulus, but not so high that the device induces substantial changes in sprinting technique. We recommend using a video overlay system to visually compare the movement patterns of the athlete in unloaded sprinting to sprinting with the training device. In particular, the coach should look for changes in the athlete's forward lean and changes in the angles of the support leg during the ground contact phase of the stride.

Comparison of different sprint training sessions with assisted and resisted running: effects on performance and kinematics in 20-m sprints

“…Most studies that used these training methods to enhance sprint performance did so over several weeks [4][5][6]. Earlier studies suggested that resisted and assisted sprints increased muscular power output of the gluteus maximus, and the hip and knee extensors, and thereby stride length in normal sprints [7][8][9][10]. It is unclear whether resisted and assisted sprints can be effective as a part of complex training methods [11,12].…”

Características y efectos de los métodos resistidos en el sprint. (Characteristics and effects of resisted sprint training methods)

“…De hecho, se ha estudiado que la dirección de la resistencia aplicada al atleta es diferente dependiendo del método de entrenamiento resistido usado. En consecuencia, cada método resistido tiene diferentes efectos sobre la velocidad del atleta y la mecánica del sprint (Alcaraz, Palao, Elvira & Linthorne, 2008) (Figura 1). Se ha documentado que el entrenamiento específico mejora la coordinación inter-muscular y asegura que el músculo está preparado para adquirir un mayor desarrollo de fuerza (Young, 2006).…”

“…Por ejemplo, desde un punto de vista cinemático se recomiendan los arrastres de trineo con cargas altas y los sprints cuesta arriba para simular la fase de aceleración (Cronin & Hansen, 2006). El arrastre de trineo con cargas bajas (Alcaraz, Palao, Elvira & Linthorne, 2008), los chalecos y cinturones lastrados (Alcaraz, Palao, Elvira & Linthorne, 2008;Cronin & Hansen, 2006), y los paracaí-das de velocidad (Alcaraz, Palao, Elvira & Linthorne, 2008;Tabachnik, 1992) se recomiendan para entrenar la fase de máxima velocidad.…”

“…Comparación de a) un sprint sin carga con sprints al utilizar tres tipos de dispositivos de entrenamiento resistido; b) trineo; c) paracaídas de velocidad; y d) cinturón lastrado. Las flechas muestran la dirección de la fuerza aplicada al atleta por el dispositivo usado (Alcaraz, Palao, Elvira & Linthorne, 2008).…”

“…El coeficiente de fricción entre el trineo y la superficie de la pista está determinado por el tipo de material que recubre el trineo y por la superficie sobre la que se desliza. Con el fin de producir una carga consistente entre sesiones, el entrenador debe tener cuidado de utilizar siempre el mismo trineo en la misma superficie de carrera (Alcaraz, Palao, Elvira, & Linthorne, 2008). La mayoría de los arrastres van sujetos al atleta por medio de una cuerda que se fija en los hombros o en la cintura con un arnés.…”