Determinants of acceleration and maximum speed phase of repeated sprint ability in soccer players: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Summary Objectives The aim of this study was to examine the anthropometric and physiological factors that influence the acceleration (0–10 m) and maximum speed phases (10–20 m) of a repeated sprint ability (RSA) test. Equipment and methods Thirty-six soccer players were tested for height, body mass, body fat percentage, sit-and-reach test, squat and countermovement jump, Wingate test, maximal aerobic running speed, 20 m sprint time (with 0–10 m and 10–20 m splits) and a 10 × 20 m RSA test. Results The comparison between groups with different levels of RSA revealed that players with higher RSA had better scores in physical fitness than their counterparts with lower RSA (maximal aerobic speed +1.1 km.h−1, +7.1%; squat jump +4.5 cm, +14.2%; mean power in the Wingate test +0.4 W.kg−1, +4.6%; 20 m sprint −0.13 s, −4.1%; P