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

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 13; no. 4; p. e0195477
• Main Authors: Cross, Matt R, Lahti, Johan, Brown, Scott R, Chedati, Mehdi, Jimenez-Reyes, Pedro, Samozino, Pierre, Eriksrud, Ola, Morin, Jean-Benoit
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 11-04-2018; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Adaptation; Adult; Analysis; Athletes; Athletic Performance; Batteries; Biology and Life Sciences; Engineering and Technology; Female; Horizontal loads; Humans; Intervention; Kinematics; Life Sciences; Male; Mechanical properties; Medicine and Health Sciences; Methods; Parameters; Performance enhancement; Physical Sciences; Physiological aspects; Pilot Projects; Research and Analysis Methods; Resistance Training; Rugby; Running - physiology; Soccer; Sprinting; Training; Velocity; Velocity distribution; Weight-Bearing; New Zealand; France; Finland; Mont Blanc
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0195477

In 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).
Soccer [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.
Both 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).
Both 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.