Sprinting: 10 Research Articles for Effective Sprint Training [Part 22]

Click here for all the previous Sprint Reviews 

Paul Hoffman has read and researched several research papers on sprinting and performance articles, so you don’t have to.  If any of these articles interest you, feel free to research the case studies and methodology and come up with your own conclusions.

Click on the link to the original reference, where applicable

1. THE ACUTE AND POST-ACTIVATION POTENTIATION EFFECTS OF THE SPEEDMAKER(™)

Hågen Fjørkenstad Dybdal, Roland van den TillaarDepartment of Sports Science and Physical Education, Nord University, Levanger, Norway

The main findings were that sprinting with the SpeedMakerTM increased sprint times by 1.7% compared to normal 30-m sprints. However, no occurrence of an elicited PAP response was found when performing a 30-m sprint with the SpeedMakerTM prior to a normal 30-m sprint in male soccer players. Furthermore, no detectable differences were found in the step-by-step analysis on kinematics and muscle activity between the sprints with and without the SpeedMakerTM.

2. THE SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF CREATINE MONOHYDRATE SUPPLEMENTATION: WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED FROM THE PAST 25 YEARS OF RESEARCH.

December 2018, Eric Rawson

No adverse effects have been documented.  There are many muscular and neurological benefits.

3. Phase analysis in maximal sprinting: an investigation of step-to-step technical changes between the initial acceleration, transition and maximal velocity phases

Gareth Irwin. Journal of Sports Biomechanics. 2020

The study showed that if sufficient trials are available, step-to-step changes in shank and trunk angles might provide an appropriate measure to detect sprint phases in applied settings.

4. Sprint-Specific Training in Youth. Backward Running vs. Forward Running Training on Speed and Power Measures in Adolescent Male Athletes

Uthoff, Aaron. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 2020.

This study showed benefits to backward running training.

5. A Systematic Review Examining the Physiological, Perceptual, and Performance Effects of Active and Passive Recovery Modes Applied Between Repeated-Sprints

Maria Madueno. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness. 2019.

Active recovery applied between running repeated-sprints provides greater physiological stress than passive recovery and may be a useful training overload strategy to promote physiological adaptation.

6. Resisted and Assisted Sprint Training: Determining the Transfer to Maximal Sprinting

Dylan Hicks, MSc. Flinders Univ. S. Australia.

This suggests that AST may not provide any greater transfer than a standard maximal sprinting protocol, but due to the inconsistencies in the research it should be left to the practitioner to determine whether AST is suitable.

7. Jump height loss as an indicator of fatigue during sprint training

Journal of Sports Sciences. Pedro Jiminez-Reyes, 2018.

These results suggest that the CMJ test may allow more accurate setting of training loads in sprint training sessions, by using an individualised sprint dose based on mechanical and physiological responses rather than a standard fixed number of sprints for all athletes.

8. Maximal Sprint Speed and the Anaerobic Speed Reserve Domain: The Untapped Tools that Differentiate the World’s Best Male 800 m Runners

Gareth Sandford. Sports Medicine, 2019.

”Here, we argue for the importance of utilising the ASR and MSS measurement to ensure middle-distance runners have the skills to compete in the race-defining surges of modern-day 800 m running”.

9. Thinking Outside the Block: External Focus of Attention Improves Reaction Times and Movement Preparation Times in Collegiate Track Sprinters.

Attila Kovacs. Sports Magazine. 2018. University of Wisconsin, La-Crosse.

These findings could potentially contribute to the development of new coaching methods aimed at improving the starting technique of athletes.

10. Age-Related Changes in Achilles Tendon Stiffness and Impact on Functional Activities: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, Tijs Delabastita, Human Kinetics Journal.

Possibly, decreased Achilles tendon stiffness is caused by altered elastic modulus in older adults. Training interventions increasing Achilles tendon stiffness could improve functional capacity.