title: Repeated sprint training improves intermittent peak running speed in team-sport athletes.
abstract: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of 2 repeated sprint training interventions on an intermittent peak running speed (IPRS) test designed for Australian Rules football. The test required participants to perform 10 × 10-m maximal efforts on an 80-m course every 25 seconds, for each of which the mean peak speed (kilometers per hour) was recorded to determine IPRS. The training interventions were performed twice weekly for 4 weeks immediately before regular football training. In the constant volume intervention (CVol), sprint repetition number remained at 10 (n = 9), and in the linear increase in volume (LIVol) intervention, repetition number increased linearly each week by 2 repetitions (n = 12). Intermittent peak running speed, 300-m shuttle test performance, and peak running speed were assessed before and upon completion of training. All measures were compared to a control group (CON; n = 8) in which players completed regular football training exclusively. Intermittent peak running speed performance in CVol and LIVol improved significantly (p < 0.01) by 5.2 and 3.8%, respectively, with no change in IPRS for CON. There were no differences in IPRS changes between CVol and LIVol. Additionally, peak running speed improved significantly (p < 0.01) by 5.1% for CVol, whereas 300-m shuttle performance improved significantly (p < 0.01) by 2.6% for LIVol only. Intermittent peak running speed, 300-m shuttle performance and peak running speed were improved after 4 weeks of training; however, progressively increasing sprint repetition number had no greater advantage on IPRS adaptation. Additionally, exclusive regular football training over a 4-week period is unlikely to improve IPRS, peak running speed, or 300-m shuttle performance.
authors.affiliation: School of Human Movement and Sport Sciences, University of Ballarat, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Jayden R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Hunter
authors.forename: Brendan J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.forename: Mitchell G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Mooney
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Berry
authors.forename: Warren B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Neville
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Down
mesh_terms: D000054:Acceleration; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D054874:Athletic Performance; D001315:Australia; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology; D005538:Football / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D005082:Physical Exertion; D012016:Reference Values; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult