Training at maximal power in resisted sprinting: Optimal load determination methodology and pilot results in team sport athletes

Abstract

AimsIn the current study we investigated the effects of resisted sprint training on sprinting performance and underlying mechanical parameters (force-velocity-power profile) based on two different training protocols: (i) loads that represented maximum power output (Lopt) and a 50% decrease in maximum unresisted sprinting velocity and (ii) lighter loads that represented a 10% decrease in maximum unresisted sprinting velocity, as drawn from previous research (L10).MethodsSoccer [n = 15 male] and rugby [n = 21; 9 male and 12 female] club-level athletes were individually assessed for horizontal force-velocity and load-velocity profiles using a battery of resisted sprints, sled or robotic resistance respectively. Athletes then performed a 12-session resisted (10 × 20-m; and pre- post-profiling) sprint training intervention following the L10 or Lopt protocol.ResultsBoth L10 and Lopt training protocols had minor effects on sprinting performance (average of -1.4 to -2.3% split-times respectively), and provided trivial, small and unclear changes in mechanical sprinting parameters. Unexpectedly, Lopt impacted velocity dominant variables to a greater degree than L10 (trivial benefit in maximum velocity; small increase in slope of the force-velocity relationship), while L10 improved force and power dominant metrics (trivial benefit in maximal power; small benefit in maximal effectiveness of ground force orientation).ConclusionsBoth resisted-sprint training protocols were likely to improve performance after a short training intervention in already sprint trained athletes. However, widely varied individualised results indicated that adaptations may be dependent on pre-training force-velocity characteristics.

A simple method for computing sprint acceleration kinetics from running velocity data: Replication study with improved design

“…In this population of trained male sprinters, sprint kinetics data were similar to those obtained in previous studies using either FP (Rabita et al, 2015;Nagahara et al, 2017a;Colyer et al, 2018) or Samozino et al's simple method (e.g. Slawinski et al, 2017;Cross et al, 2017b;Jimenez-Reyes et al, 2018). It is also interesting to note that the low inter-trial variability observed here was very close between the two methods compared (Table 2), and comparable to that reported by Haugen et al (2018) in a similar population, using the simple method approach.…”

“…For example, previous studies used radar (Cross et al, 2015), photocells (Samozino et al, 2016;Romero-Franco et al, 2017), linear encoders (Cross et al, 2018), or high-speed video (Romero-Franco et al, 2017) after verification of the high-quality of fitting (correlation coefficient >0.99). In addition, this almost perfect fit was observed in loaded sprint conditions (Pantoja et al, 2018;Cross et al 2017b;Cross et al 2018) and for various levels of sprint performance and athletes' age and sex (Pantoja et al, 2016;Slawinski et al, 2017;Nagahara et al, 2017b), which tends to support its general validity to varying athlete's characteristics/levels and with external resistance. However, if high-quality exponential fitting of the data is not verified preceding analysis, any subsequent computations might lead to inaccurate data and conclusions (e.g.…”

“…Because it is based on basic inputs (body mass, height, and displacement-or velocity-time data), this method has been widely used in sports practice and research (e.g. Mendiguchia et al, 2016;Pantoja et al, 2016;Jimenez-Reyes et al, 2018;Cross et al, 2015). Despite the clear and strong results from the initial validation study, the validity of this approach has only been tested in the context of a multiple-trial design.…”

Resisted Sprint Velocity in Female Soccer Players: Influence of Physical Capacities

“…However, for some reason to be further clarified, this mechanical principle was not able to impact the short resisted sprint performance ( ≤ 10-m) of our athletes, but rather, their performance over 20-m. Probably, the "extra" overload in the horizontal direction imposed by the weighted sleds reduced the importance of net vertical force, and increased the role played by horizontal force generation (and orientation) at shorter distances [12,28]. In contrast, at lower moments of inertia (i. e. higher velocities achieved at longer distances), the vertical force production seems to continue to exert a relatively large influence on speed performance, even with the addition of 30 and 60 % BM.…”

Influence of resisted sled‐push training on the sprint force‐velocity profile of male high school athletes

“…13 Given the horizonal nature of resisted sled pushing, the same limitations exist as observed in sled pulling with regard to prescription of load as a set %BM in adult and youth populations. 6,[13][14][15] The high degree of variability of sled load tolerance in young athletes could be due to a combination of maturation, training history, and strength. 13 An alternative method of sled loading is to prescribe load based on the decrement in maximal sprint velocity (Vdec) with increases in load.…”