Microdosing Sprint Distribution as an Alternative to Achieve Better Sprint Performance in Field Hockey Players.

Introduction: The implementation of optimal sprint training volume is a relevant component of team sport performance. This study aimed to compare the efficiency and effectiveness of two different configurations of within-season training load distribution on sprint performance over 6 weeks. Methods: Twenty male professional FH players participated in the study. Players were conveniently assigned to two groups: the experimental group (MG; n = 11; applying the microdosing training methodology) and the control group (TG; n = 9; traditional training, with players being selected by the national team). Sprint performance was evaluated through 20 m sprint time (T20) m and horizontal force−velocity profile (HFVP) tests before (Pre) and after (Post) intervention. Both measurements were separated by a period of 6 weeks. The specific sprint training program was performed for each group (for vs. two weekly sessions for MG and TG, respectively) attempting to influence the full spectrum of the F-V relationship. Results: Conditional demands analysis (matches and training sessions) showed no significant differences between the groups during the intervention period (p > 0.05). No significant between-group differences were found at Pre or Post for any sprint-related performance (p > 0.05). Nevertheless, intra-group analysis revealed significant differences in F0, Pmax, RFmean at 10 m and every achieved time for distances ranging from 5 to 25 m for MG (p < 0.05). Such changes in mechanical capabilities and sprint performance were characterized by an increase in stride length and a decrease in stride frequency during the maximal velocity phase (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Implementing strategies such as microdosed training load distribution appears to be an effective and efficient alternative for sprint training in team sports such as hockey.

Effects of Fatigue Induced by Repeated Sprints on Sprint Biomechanics in Football Players: Should We Look at the Group or the Individual?

The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of fatigue on sprint biomechanics. Fifty-one football players performed twelve maximal 30 m sprints with 20 s recovery between each sprint. Sprint kinetics were computed from running speed data and a high-frequency camera (240 Hz) was used to study kinematic data. A cluster analysis (K-mean clustering) was conducted to classify individual kinematic adaptations. A large decrease in maximal power output and less efficiency in horizontally orienting the ground reaction force were observed in fatigued participants. In addition, individual changes in kinematic components were observed, and, according to the cluster analysis, five clusters were identified. Changes in trunk, knee, and hip angles led to an overall theoretical increase in hamstring strain for some players (Cluster 5, 20/51) but to an overall decrease for some others (Cluster 1, 11/51). This study showed that the repeated sprint ability (RSA) protocol had an impact on both kinetics and kinematics. Moreover, fatigue affected the kinematics in a different way for each player, and these individual changes were associated with either higher or lower hamstring length and thus strain.

Seasonal Changes in the Sprint Acceleration Force-Velocity Profile of Elite Male Soccer Players.

ABSTRACT: Jiménez-Reyes, P, Garcia-Ramos, A, Párraga-Montilla, JA, Morcillo-Losa, JA, Cuadrado-Peñafiel, V, Castaño-Zambudio, A, Samozino, P, and Morin, J-B. Seasonal changes in the sprint acceleration force-velocity profile of elite male soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 36(1): 70-74, 2022-This study aimed to describe the seasonal changes in the sprint force-velocity (Fv) profile of professional soccer players. The sprint Fv profile of 21 male soccer players competing in the first division of the Spanish soccer league was evaluated 6 times: preseason 1 (September 2015), in-season 1 (November 2015), in-season 2 (January 2016), in-season 3 (March 2016), in-season 4 (May 2016), and preseason 2 (August 2016). No specific sprint capabilities stimuli other than those induced by soccer training were applied. The following variables were calculated from the velocity-time data recorded with a radar device during an unloaded sprint: maximal force (F0), maximal velocity (v0), Fv slope, maximal power (Pmax), decrease in the ratio of horizontal-to-resultant force (DRF), and maximal ratio of horizontal-to-resultant force (RFpeak). F0 (effect size [ES] range = 0.83-0.93), Pmax (ES range = 0.97-1.05), and RFpeak (ES range = 0.56-1.13) were higher at the in-seasons 2 and 3 compared with both preseasons (p ≤ 0.006). No significant differences were observed for v0, Fv slope, and DRF (p ≥ 0.287). These results suggest that relevant Fv profile variables may be compromised (F0 more compromised than v0) toward the end of the competitive season when specific sprint stimuli are not systematically applied.

Can We Modify Maximal Speed Running Posture? Implications for Performance and Hamstring Injury Management.

PURPOSE: Sprint kinematics have been linked to hamstring injury and performance. This study aimed to examine if a specific 6-week multimodal intervention, combining lumbopelvic control and unning technique exercises, induced changes in pelvis and lower-limb kinematics at maximal speed and improved sprint performance. METHODS: Healthy amateur athletes were assigned to a control or intervention group (IG). A sprint test with 3-dimensional kinematic measurements was performed before (PRE) and after (POST) 6 weeks of training. The IG program included 3 weekly sessions integrating coaching, strength and conditioning, and physical therapy approaches (eg, manual therapy, mobility, lumbopelvic control, strength and sprint "front-side mechanics"-oriented drills). RESULTS: Analyses of variance showed no between-group differences at PRE. At POST, intragroup analyses showed PRE-POST differences for the pelvic (sagittal and frontal planes) and thigh kinematics and improved sprint performance (split times) for the IG only. Specifically, IG showed (1) a lower anterior pelvic tilt during the late swing phase, (2) greater pelvic obliquity on the free-leg side during the early swing phase, (3) higher vertical position of the front-leg knee, (4) an increase in thigh angular velocity and thigh retraction velocity, (5) lower between-knees distance at initial contact, and (6) a shorter ground contact duration. The intergroup analysis revealed disparate effects (possibly to very likely) in the most relevant variables investigated. CONCLUSION: The 6-week multimodal training program induced clear pelvic and lower-limb kinematic changes during maximal speed sprinting. These alterations may collectively be associated with reduced risk of muscle strain and were concomitant with significant sprint performance improvement.

Differences between adjusted vs. non-adjusted loads in velocity-based training: consequences for strength training control and programming.

Strength and conditioning specialists commonly deal with the quantification and selection the setting of protocols regarding resistance training intensities. Although the one repetition maximum (1RM) method has been widely used to prescribe exercise intensity, the velocity-based training (VBT) method may enable a more optimal tool for better monitoring and planning of resistance training (RT) programs. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of two RT programs only differing in the training load prescription strategy (adjusting or not daily via VBT) with loads from 50 to 80% 1RM on 1RM, countermovement (CMJ) and sprint. Twenty-four male students with previous experience in RT were randomly assigned to two groups: adjusted loads (AL) (n = 13) and non-adjusted loads (NAL) (n = 11) and carried out an 8-week (16 sessions) RT program. The performance assessment pre- and post-training program included estimated 1RM and full load-velocity profile in the squat exercise; countermovement jump (CMJ); and 20-m sprint (T20). Relative intensity (RI) and mean propulsive velocity attained during each training session (Vsession) was monitored. Subjects in the NAL group trained at a significantly faster Vsession than those in AL (p < 0.001) (0.88-0.91 vs. 0.67-0.68 m/s, with a ∼15% RM gap between groups for the last sessions), and did not achieve the maximum programmed intensity (80% RM). Significant differences were detected in sessions 3-4, showing differences between programmed and performed Vsession and lower RI and velocity loss (VL) for the NAL compared to the AL group (p < 0.05). Although both groups improved 1RM, CMJ and T20, NAL experienced greater and significant changes than AL (28.90 vs.12.70%, 16.10 vs. 7.90% and -1.99 vs. -0.95%, respectively). Load adjustment based on movement velocity is a useful way to control for highly individualised responses to training and improve the implementation of RT programs.

Acute and Delayed Effects of a Resistance Training Session Leading to Muscular Failure on Mechanical, Metabolic, and Perceptual Responses.

Párraga-Montilla, JA, García-Ramos, A, Castaño-Zambudio, A, Capelo-Ramírez, F, González-Hernández, JM, Cordero-Rodríguez, Y, and Jiménez-Reyes, P. Acute and delayed effects of a resistance training session leading to muscular failure on mechanical, metabolic, and perceptual responses. J Strength Cond Res 34(8): 2220-2226, 2020-This study explored the acute and delayed (24 and 48 hours after exercise) effects of a resistance training session leading to muscular failure. Eleven resistance-trained men completed a training session consisting on 3 sets of repetitions to failure during the back-squat exercise performed at the maximum possible speed with a load equivalent to a mean propulsive velocity (MPV) of 1 m·s (≈60% of 1 repetition maximum). A number of mechanical (number of repetitions and starting MPV of the set, MPV achieved against the 1MPV load, countermovement jump [CMJ] height, and handgrip strength), metabolic (lactate, uric acid, and ammonia concentrations), and perceptual (OMNI-RES perceived exertion) variables were measured. The results revealed (a) a decrease of 38.7% in set 2 and 54.7% in set 3 of the number of repetitions performed compared with the first set (p < 0.05), (b) a reduction in the MPV of the repetitions and an increase in lactate concentration and OMNI-RES values with the succession of sets (p < 0.05), (c) comparable decrements in CMJ height after the 3 sets (25-32%), (d) a decrease in CMJ height (p < 0.05; 6.7-7.9%) and in the MPV attained against the 1MPV load (p < 0.05; 13-14%) after 24 and 48 hours of completing the training session, but no significant changes were observed in handgrip strength (p > 0.05; <2%), and (e) uric acid and ammonia concentrations above the basal levels (p < 0.05). The large decrements in mechanical performance together with the high metabolic stress discourage the frequent use of resistance training sessions leading to muscular failure.

Mechanical, Metabolic, and Perceptual Acute Responses to Different Set Configurations in Full Squat.

González-Hernández, JM, García-Ramos, A, Castaño-Zambudio, A, Capelo-Ramírez, F, Marquez, G, Boullosa, D, and Jiménez-Reyes, P. Mechanical, metabolic, and perceptual acute responses to different set configurations in full squat. J Strength Cond Res 34(6): 1581-1590, 2020-This study aimed to compare mechanical, metabolic, and perceptual responses between 2 traditional (TR) and 4 cluster (CL) set configurations. In a counterbalanced randomized order, 11 men were tested with the following protocols in separate sessions (sets × repetitions [interrepetition rest]): TR1: 3 × 10 [0 seconds]; TR2: 6 × 5 [0 seconds]; CL1: 3 × 10 [10 seconds]; CL2: 3 × 10 [15 seconds]; CL3: 3 × 10 [30 seconds]; CL4: 1 × 30 [15 seconds]. The exercise (full squat), number of repetitions (30), interset rest (5 minutes), and resistance applied (10 repetition maximum) was the same for all set configurations. Mechanical fatigue was quantified by measuring the mean propulsive velocity during each repetition and the change in countermovement jump height observed after each set and after the whole training session. Metabolic and perceptual fatigue were assessed via the blood lactate concentration and the OMNI perceived exertion scale measured after each training set, respectively. The mechanical, metabolic, and perceptual measures of fatigue were always significantly higher for the TR1 set configuration. The 2 set configurations that most minimized the mechanical measures of fatigue were CL2 and CL3. Perceived fatigue did not differ between the TR2, CL1, CL2, and CL3 set configurations. The lowest lactate concentration was observed in the CL3 set configuration. Therefore, both the CL2 and CL3 set configurations can be recommended because they maximize mechanical performance. However, the CL2 set configuration presents 2 main advantages with respect to CL3 (a): it reduces training session duration, and (b) it promotes higher metabolic stress, which, to some extent, may be beneficial for inducing muscle strength and hypertrophy gains.

Mechanical and Metabolic Responses to Traditional and Cluster Set Configurations in the Bench Press Exercise.

García-Ramos, A, González-Hernández, JM, Baños-Pelegrín, E, Castaño-Zambudio, A, Capelo-Ramírez, F, Boullosa, D, Haff, GG, and Jiménez-Reyes, P. Mechanical and metabolic responses to traditional and cluster set configurations in the bench press exercise. J Strength Cond Res 34(3): 663-670, 2020-This study aimed to compare mechanical and metabolic responses between traditional (TR) and cluster (CL) set configurations in the bench press exercise. In a counterbalanced randomized order, 10 men were tested with the following protocols (sets × repetitions [inter-repetition rest]): TR1: 3 × 10 (0-second), TR2: 6 × 5 (0-second), CL5: 3 × 10 (5-second), CL10: 3 × 10 (10-second), and CL15: 3 × 10 (15-second). The number of repetitions (30), interset rest (5 minutes), and resistance applied (10 repetition maximum) were the same for all set configurations. Movement velocity and blood lactate concentration were used to assess the mechanical and metabolic responses, respectively. The comparison of the first and last set of the training session revealed a significant decrease in movement velocity for TR1 (Effect size [ES]: -0.92), CL10 (ES: -0.85), and CL15 (ES: -1.08) (but not for TR2 [ES: -0.38] and CL5 [ES: -0.37]); while blood lactate concentration was significantly increased for TR1 (ES: 1.11), TR2 (ES: 0.90), and CL5 (ES: 1.12) (but not for CL10 [ES: 0.03] and CL15 [ES: -0.43]). Based on velocity loss, set configurations were ranked as follows: TR1 (-39.3 ± 7.3%) > CL5 (-20.2 ± 14.7%) > CL10 (-12.9 ± 4.9%), TR2 (-10.3 ± 5.3%), and CL15 (-10.0 ± 2.3%). The set configurations were ranked as follows based on the lactate concentration: TR1 (7.9 ± 1.1 mmol·L) > CL5 (5.8 ± 0.9 mmol·L) > TR2 (4.2 ± 0.7 mmol·L) > CL10 (3.5 ± 0.4 mmol·L) and CL15 (3.4 ± 0.7 mmol·L). These results support the use of TR2, CL10, and CL15 for the maintenance of high mechanical outputs, while CL10 and CL15 produce less metabolic stress than TR2.

Sprint performance and mechanical outputs computed with an iPhone app: Comparison with existing reference methods.

The purpose of this study was to assess validity and reliability of sprint performance outcomes measured with an iPhone application (named: MySprint) and existing field methods (i.e. timing photocells and radar gun). To do this, 12 highly trained male sprinters performed 6 maximal 40-m sprints during a single session which were simultaneously timed using 7 pairs of timing photocells, a radar gun and a newly developed iPhone app based on high-speed video recording. Several split times as well as mechanical outputs computed from the model proposed by Samozino et al. [(2015). A simple method for measuring power, force, velocity properties, and mechanical effectiveness in sprint running. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.12490] were then measured by each system, and values were compared for validity and reliability purposes. First, there was an almost perfect correlation between the values of time for each split of the 40-m sprint measured with MySprint and the timing photocells (r = 0.989-0.999, standard error of estimate = 0.007-0.015 s, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 1.0). Second, almost perfect associations were observed for the maximal theoretical horizontal force (F0), the maximal theoretical velocity (V0), the maximal power (Pmax) and the mechanical effectiveness (DRF - decrease in the ratio of force over acceleration) measured with the app and the radar gun (r = 0.974-0.999, ICC = 0.987-1.00). Finally, when analysing the performance outputs of the six different sprints of each athlete, almost identical levels of reliability were observed as revealed by the coefficient of variation (MySprint: CV = 0.027-0.14%; reference systems: CV = 0.028-0.11%). Results on the present study showed that sprint performance can be evaluated in a valid and reliable way using a novel iPhone app.