title: The effect of slope on repeated sprint ability in young soccer players.
abstract: This study aimed to describe a gradient repeated sprint ability (RSA) test in comparison with a standard level one by investigating performance, metabolic demand and muscular jumping performance as a proxy for running mechanics. Eighteen athletes performed two level RSA tests (40 m × 6) - for reliability evaluation - and one ±5% gradient RSA test, second leg downhill (RSAgrad). Rating of perceived exertion (RPE), blood lactate concentration (BLa) concentration, vertical jump heights were assessed as well. Level test measures resulted highly reliable (Intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) ≥0.96). RSAgrad worsened only first sprints' performance (-2%) but not overall test performance (~45 s). RSAgrad resulted to be less deteriorating in terms of fatigue index (FI) (-36%), BLa (-23%), RPE (-11%), jumping performance (RSAgrad post-/pre-squat jump, countermovement jump heights (CMJh): -3%, -6%, respectively). RSAgrad could be used to diversify common training protocol without stressing excessively athletes' current metabolic-anaerobic capacity. Such physical conditioning procedures could improve acceleration/braking capability.
authors.affiliation: a University eCampus , Novedrate , Italy.|b Tunisian Research Laboratory 'Sports Performance Optimization' , National Center of Medicine and Science in Sports , Tunis , Tunisia.|c Sardinia Committee , Italian National Olympic Committee, Sardinia Committee , Cagliari , Italy.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Padulo
authors.affiliation: d School of Exercise and Sport Science, Department of Neurological, Biomedical and Movement Sciences , University of Verona , Verona , Italy.
authors.forename: L P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Ardigò
authors.affiliation: c Sardinia Committee , Italian National Olympic Committee, Sardinia Committee , Cagliari , Italy.|e School of Medicine and Surgery , University of Cagliari , Cagliari , Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Attene
authors.affiliation: c Sardinia Committee , Italian National Olympic Committee, Sardinia Committee , Cagliari , Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cava
authors.affiliation: f Human Performance Laboratory , Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong , Hong Kong , China.|g Sports & Recreation Research Centre , Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong , Hong Kong , China.
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: h Athlete Health and Performance Research Centre Aspetar , Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital , Doha , Qatar.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chamari
authors.affiliation: c Sardinia Committee , Italian National Olympic Committee, Sardinia Committee , Cagliari , Italy.|i Performance Research , Sport Science Lab Ltd , London , UK.
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Migliaccio
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D005082:Physical Exertion; D011897:Random Allocation; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Repeated bout effect; exercise performance; metabolism; shuttle running; soccer