title: Relationship between maximal squat strength and five, ten, and forty yard sprint times.
abstract: The purpose of this investigation was to examine the relationship between maximal squat strength and sprinting times. Seventeen Division I-AA male football athletes (height = 1.78 +/- 0.04 m, body mass [BM] = 85.9 +/- 8.8 kg, body mass index [BMI] = 27.0 +/- 2.6 kg/m2, 1 repetition maximum [1RM] = 166.5 +/- 34.1 kg, 1RM/BM = 1.94 +/- 0.33) participated in this investigation. Height, weight, and squat strength (1RM) were assessed on day 1. Within 1 week, 5, 10, and 40 yard sprint times were assessed. Squats were performed to a 70 degree knee angle and values expressed relative to each subject's BM. Sprints were performed on a standard outdoor track surface with timing gates placed at the previously mentioned distances. Statistically significant (p < or = 0.05) correlations were found between squat 1RM/BM and 40 yard sprint times (r = -0.605, p = 0.010, power = 0.747) and 10 yard sprint times (r = -0.544, p = 0.024, power = 0.626). The correlation approached significance between 5 yard sprint times and 1RM/BM (r = -0.4502, p = 0.0698, power = 0.4421). Subjects were then divided into those above 1RM/BM of 2.10 and below 1RM/BM of 1.90. Subjects with a 1RM/BM above 2.10 had statistically significantly lower sprint times at 10 and 40 yards in comparison with those subjects with a 1RM/BM ratio below 1.90. This investigation provides additional evidence of the possible importance of maximal squat strength relative to BM concerning sprinting capabilities in competitive athletes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Leisure, and Exercise Science, Neuromuscular Laboratory, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina 28608, USA. mcbridejm@appstate.edu
authors.forename: Jeffrey M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: McBride
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Blow
authors.forename: Tyler J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Kirby
authors.forename: Tracie L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Haines
authors.forename: Andrea M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Dayne
authors.forename: N Travis
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Triplett
mesh_terms: D005538:Football; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D055070:Resistance Training; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*