title: A sled push stimulus potentiates subsequent 20-m sprint performance.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to examine the potentiating effects of performing a single sprint-style sled push on subsequent unresisted 20m sprint performance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized crossover design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Following a familiarization session, twenty rugby league players performed maximal unresisted 20m sprints before and 15s, 4, 8 and 12min after a single sled push stimulus loaded with either 75 or 125% body mass. The two sled push conditions were performed in a randomized order over a one-week period. The fastest sprint time recorded before each sled push was compared to that recorded at each time point after to determine the post-activation potentiation (PAP) effect.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After the 75% body mass sled push, sprint time was 0.26±1.03% slower at the 15s time point (effect size [ES]=0.07) but faster at the 4 (-0.95±2.00%; ES=-0.22), 8 (-1.80±1.43%; ES=-0.42) and 12 (-1.54±1.54%; ES=-0.36)min time points. Sprint time was slower at all the time points after the 125% body mass sled (1.36±2.36%-2.59±2.90%; ESs=0.34-0.64).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Twenty-meter sprint performance is potentiated 4-12min following a sled push loaded with 75% body mass while it is impaired after a 125% body mass sled. These results are of great importance for coaches seeking to potentiate sprint performance with the sled push exercise.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Exercise and Sport Science Research, Edith Cowan University, Australia. Electronic address: seitzlaurent@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Laurent B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Seitz
authors.affiliation: Sport, Outdoor and Exercise Science, University of Derby, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Minas A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Mina
authors.affiliation: Centre for Exercise and Sport Science Research, Edith Cowan University, Australia.
authors.forename: G Gregory
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Haff
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005538:Football / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000379:methods*; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Football; Performance; Physical conditioning; Post-activation potentiation; Resisted sprinting; Running