title: Physical performance differences between weight-trained sprinters and weight trainers.
abstract: The present study tested and compared well-trained athletes who were performing low-velocity, high-force resistance training and sprint running training (ST) when recruited, with subjects who were performing low-velocity, high-force resistance training but not sprint training (NST) when recruited. Eleven male sprint runners (mean +/- SD; age = 19.0 +/- 1.4 yr: height = 182.0 +/- 4.7 cm: mass = 75.7 +/- 4.7 kg), and eight male weight-trained athletes who were not currently performing sprint training, or any other additional training, (mean + SD; age = 21.5 +/- 1.8 yr: height = 184.5 +/- 3.6 cm: mass = 78.4 +/- 4.6 kg) participated in the study; all subjects had a minimum of two years resistance training experience. Tests included 1. running speed (20 m time after a 50 m acceleration distance and 20 m acceleration time from a stationary start), 2. isokinetic hip flexor/extensor torque (and torque adjusted for body mass), angle of peak torque, time to reach peak torque and torque acceleration energy at low (1.05 rad x s(-1) [60 degrees x s(-1)), moderate (4.74 rad x s(-1) [270 degrees x s(-1)) and high (8.42 rad x s(-1) [480 degrees x s(-1)) speeds and 3. maximum squat lift. ST subjects produced more isokinetic hip extensor torque when adjusted for body mass at 4.74 rad x s(-1) (270 degrees x s(-1); p<0.05) and reached their peak torque faster (p<0.05). ST subjects also produced more hip flexor torque at 8.42 rad x s(-1) (480 degrees x s(-1); p<0.05), and torque per body mass at 4.74 rad x s(-1) (270 degrees x s(-1)) and 8.42 rad x s(-1) (480 degrees x s(-1); p<0.05) and reached peak flexor torque faster than NST subjects (4.74 rad x s(-1) [270 degrees x s(-1)], p<0.05; 8.42 rad x s(-1) [480 degrees x s(-1), p<0.01). Further, ST subjects performed better in tests of running acceleration over 20 m (p<0.02) and achieved a higher maximum running velocity after a 50 m acceleration distance (p<0.001). No significant differences were found in isokinetic strength at low (1.05 rad x s(-1) [60 degrees x s(-1)) velocities or in maximal squat lift strength. The results of the present study suggest that athletes who perform low-velocity, high force training concurrently with high-velocity training are superior in tests of isokinetic strength at high velocities when compared to athletes who only perform low-velocity, high force training. This may be due to training or genetic factors.
authors.affiliation: The Department of Human Movement Studies, The University of Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Blazevich
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jenkins
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D019415:Torque; D014891:Weight Lifting / Q000502:physiology*