Repeated-Sprint Ability – Part II

Repeated sprint ability (RSA) is crucial for success in team sports, and involves both neuromuscular and metabolic factors. While single-mode training (SGL; e.g., sprint training) and combined training (CT; e.g., sprint + plyometric) can improve RSA, whether CT offers additional benefits compared to SGL or active controls maintaining routine training (CON) remains uncertain in team-sport athletes. This study evaluates the effect of CT versus SGL and CON on the RSA of team-sport athletes. A comprehensive search was conducted in five electronic databases. Thirteen studies involving 394 males and 28 females, aged 14 to 26 years, were included. The random effects model for meta-analyses revealed greater improvement in RSA mean after CT compared to SGL (Hedge's g effect size [g] = -0.46; 95 % confidence interval [CI]: -0.82, -0.10; p < 0.01) and CON (g = -1.39; 95% CI: -2.09, -0.70; p < 0.01). CT also improved RSA best compared to CON (g = -1.17; 95% CI: -1.58, -0.76; p < 0.01). The GRADE analyses revealed low- to very-low certainty of evidence in all meta-analyses. Subgroup analysis revealed that plyometric + sprint training yielded greater RSA mean (g = -1.46) and RSA best (g = -1.35) improvement than plyometric + resistance + sprint training and resistance + sprint training. The effects of CT on RSA did not differ according to age (≥ 18 vs. < 18), sports (e.g., soccer vs. basketball vs. handball), or RSA test type (linear sprint vs. sprint with change-of-direction). Studies showed an overall high risk of bias (ROB 2). In conclusion, CT may be improving team-sport athletes' RSA more effectively than SGL (small effect size) and CON (large effect size), particularly when CT involves plyometric + sprint training.

This study compared the effects of two different half-squat training programs on the repeated-sprint ability of soccer players during the preseason. Twenty male professional soccer players were divided into 2 groups: One group (S-group) performed 4 sets of 5 repetitions with 90% of their 1-repetition maximum (1RM), and the other group (H-group) performed 4 sets of 12 repetitions with 70% of 1RM, 3 times per week for 6 weeks, in addition to their common preseason training program. Repeated-sprint ability was assessed before and after training by 10 × 6-second cycle ergometer sprints separated by 24 seconds of passive recovery. Maximal half-squat strength increased significantly in both groups (p < 0.01), but this increase was significantly greater in the S-group compared with the H-group (17.3 ± 1.9 vs. 11.0 ± 1.9%, p < 0.05). Lean leg volume (LLV) increased only in the H-group. Total work over the 10 sprints improved in both groups after training, but this increase was significantly greater in the second half (8.9 ± 2.6%) compared with the first half of the sprint test (3.2 ± 1.7%) only in the S-group. Mean power output (MPO) expressed per liter of LLV was better maintained during the last 6 sprints posttraining only in the S-group, whereas there was no change in MPO per LLV in the H-group over the 10 sprints. These results suggest that resistance training with high loads is superior to a moderate-load program, because it increases strength without a change in muscle mass and also results in a greater improvement in repeated sprint ability. Therefore, resistance training with high loads may be preferable when the aim is to improve maximal strength and fatigue during sprinting in professional soccer players.

Repeated-sprint training appears to be an efficient and practical means for the simultaneous development of different components of fitness relevant to team sports. Our objective was to systematically review the literature and meta-analyse the effect of repeated-sprint training on a selection of field-based measures of athletic performance, i.e. counter-movement jump, 10 m sprint, 20 m sprint, 30 m sprint, repeated-sprint ability and high-intensity intermittent running performance. The SPORTDiscus, PubMed, MEDLINE and Web of Science databases were searched for original research articles. Search terms included 'repeated-sprint training', 'sprint training', 'aerobic endurance', 'repeated-sprint ability', 'counter-movement jump' and 'sprint performance'. Inclusion criteria included intervention consisting of a series of ≤10 s sprints with ≤60 s recovery; trained participants; intervention duration of 2-12 weeks; field-based fitness measures; running- or cycling-based intervention; published up to, and including, February 2014. Our final dataset included six trials for counter-movement jump (two controlled trials), eight trials for 10 m sprint, four trials for 20 m sprint (three controlled trials), two trials for 30 m sprint, eight trials for repeated-sprint ability and three trials for high-intensity intermittent running performance. Analyses were conducted using comprehensive meta-analysis software. Uncertainty in the meta-analysed effect of repeated-sprint training was expressed as 95% confidence limits (CL), along with the probability that the true value of the effect was trivial, beneficial or harmful. Magnitude-based inferences were based on standardised thresholds for small, moderate and large changes of 0.2, 0.6 and 1.2 standard deviations, respectively. Repeated-sprint training had a likely small beneficial effect in non-controlled counter-movement jump trials (effect size 0.33; 95% CL ±0.30), with a possibly moderate beneficial effect in controlled trials (0.63; 95% CL ±0.44). There was a very likely small beneficial effect on 10 m sprint time in non-controlled trials (-0.42; 95% CL ±0.24), with a possibly moderate beneficial effect on 20 m sprint time in non-controlled (-0.49; 95% CL ±0.46) and controlled (-0.65; 95% CL ±0.61) trials. Repeated-sprint training had a possibly large beneficial effect on 30 m sprint performance in non-controlled trials (-1.01; 95% CL ±0.93), with possibly moderate beneficial effects on repeated-sprint ability (-0.62; 95% CL ±0.25) and high-intensity intermittent running performance (-0.61; 95% CL ±0.54). Repeated-sprint training can induce small to large improvements in power, speed, repeated-sprint ability and endurance, and may have relevance for training in team sports.

International audience

Kyriacou-Rossi, A, Ieronymides, D, Hadjipantelis, A, Stampoulis, T, Hadjicharalambous, M, Avloniti, A, Chatzinikolaou, A, and Zaras, N. Effect of concurrent power and sprint training on physical fitness in well-trained youth soccer players: A pilot study. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2026-The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of 5-week concurrent power-sprint training on power, repeated sprint ability (RSA), and aerobic capacity in well-trained youth soccer players. Sixteen male players (15.9 ± 0.5 years; height: 173.8 ± 5.0 m; mass: 65.3 ± 8.2 kg) participated in the study. After baseline evaluation, players were matched and divided into the concurrent (Conc) and the compound (Comp) groups. Players in the Conc group performed power-sprint training in the same training session, while the Comp group performed power and sprint training the following day. At the beginning and end of the 5-week training program, measurements included body composition, flexibility, countermovement (CMJ) and drop jumps (DJ), isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP), 5-step long-jump, 0-30 m linear sprint, t test agility, RSA, and 30-15 intermittent fitness test (IFT). No changes were found for body composition and flexibility, although both groups improved CMJ height (Conc: 6.4%, p < 0.000; Comp: 5.6%, p < 0.001) and DJ reactive strength index (Conc: 38.2-42.5%, p < 0.000; Comp: 27.5-44.7%, p = 0.001), but only Conc increased IMTP (8.6%, p = 0.014). Five-step long-jump increased for both groups (Conc: 2.8 ± 2.6%, p = 0.027; Comp: 3.3 ± 3.6%, p = 0.012) but no chances were observed for 0-30 m linear sprint and agility. Repeated sprint ability increased in both groups, but Conc induced greater increases than Comp (p < 0.001). Significant increases were found for 30-15 IFT V̇o2max (Conc: 4.8%; Comp: 4.0%) for both groups. In conclusion, concurrent power-sprint training improves strength, power, and aerobic fitness in youth soccer players. Implementing both modalities within the same training session yields superior gains particularly in RSA, a key factor in soccer performance.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect resisted sprint training using weighted vests (WVs) compared with unresisted sprint (US) training on physical fitness (countermovement jump, 10-m sprint, 30-m sprint, and repeated sprint ability [RSA]) in amateur male soccer players. Nineteen soccer players (age: 23.7 ± 4.5 years; height: 178.3 ± 5.8 cm; body mass: 72.9 ± 5.2 kg) were randomly assigned to a WV (n = 10) or a US (n = 9) group. The intervention program had to be performed 2 times a week over 6 weeks. The only difference between the 2 interventions was that the WV group performed all the sprints with an additional weight of 18.9% ± 2.1% of body mass. Within-group analysis showed significant improvements (p < 0.001) in 10-m and 30-m sprint performances from pretest to posttest in WV (+9.42% and +6.04%) and US (+10.87% and +5.10%). Players in both WV and US also showed significant enhancements in RSA average time (AT), fastest time, and total time from pretest to posttest. Percentage changes in 30-m sprint performance, for both groups combined, had a very large correlation with percentage changes in AT of RSA. In the between-groups analysis, there were no differences between the sprint training groups (WV vs. US) in any variable. In conclusion, the findings of this study indicate that both sprint training methods used seem to be effective to improve soccer-related performance measures, and could be beneficial to players and coaches in field settings.

Repeated sprint ability (RSA) is thought to be an important skill for team sports. However, there is no study that correlates aerobic capacity (AC) and lactic anaerobic capacity (LAC) with RSA in young elite soccer players. Fourteen young players from a professional soccer team underwent two laboratory tests: an incremental exercise test (IET) and an all-out test (AOT) to asses AC and LAC, respectively. Athletes also performed a field RSA test. During both the IET and the AOT tests heart rate, oxygen uptake, carbon dioxide production, and pulmonary ventilation were obtained by a portable gas analyzer. Velocity and fatigue indices were measured during the RSA test. Blood lactate was also measured after the AOT (BLaAOT) and the RSA (BLaRSA) test. No correlation was found between AC and LAC indices and measures of the RSA test, even though the AOT test appeared to fully recruit LAC capacity, as no difference between BLaAOT and BLaRSA was detected. It was concluded that no correlation exists between AC and LAC capacities obtained in the laboratory setting and velocity and fatigue measures from RSA testing. This finding should be taken into account when testing young soccer players.

Field hockey is an intermittent, high-intensity team sport in which global positioning system (GPS) monitoring and field-based fitness testing are widely used; however, the relationship between repeated sprint ability (RSA) determinants and match physical demands remains unclear. This study examined the association between RSA kinematic variables (sprint velocity, step frequency, and step length) and GPS-derived locomotor activity metrics during elite female field hockey matches. Fourteen elite female field hockey players (all members of a first team competing at the highest national and European level) completed a linear RSA protocol consisting of six 30-m maximal sprints interspersed with 30 s of active recovery. External load was quantified during four official competitive matches played against top-level opponents (teams ranked in the top four of the national league or National Cup semi-finalists) within three weeks of testing using 10-Hz GPS devices. RSA sprint-velocity metrics showed very large correlations (r > 0.70, p < 0.01) with match performance variables as total sprint distance, sprint distance per minute (sprint·min -¹), high-speed running per minute (HSR·min-¹) and high-intensity accelerations (>3 m·s-2·min ⁻ ¹). Step frequency also demonstrated very large associations (r > 0.70, p < 0.01) with sprint, sprint·min-¹, HSR·min-¹, and maximal acceleration, whereas step length was not significantly related to any match variable. These findings indicate that RSA performance, particularly sprint velocity and step frequency, is associated with high-intensity match demands in elite female field hockey. RSA testing may therefore represent a practical, low-cost tool for monitoring or approximating GPS-derived locomotor activity during competitive matches.

Relationship between brief and prolonged repeated sprint ability

The aims of this thesis were to: 1) to review research in the area of repeated sprint (RS) performance and diurnal/circadian rhythmicity; 2) to develop a new RS protocol that conforms to field based team sport time-motion analysis and determine its reliability and compare this with a RS protocol previously utilised in the literature; 3) to assess the sensitivity of the RS protocol following acute altitude exposure and simulated soccer specific exercise 4) to investigate diurnal variation of RS performance and assess whether modulating rectal and/or muscle temperatures lead to changes in RS performance. A review of the published research literature investigating the relationship between RS performance and time-of-day variation was conducted. Six studies made it through the whole analysis process for systematic review. It was established that there was evidence to support a late/early afternoon peak in peak power in RS performance around the peak of the rhythm of core temperature. However, there is a clear demand for more rigorous investigations which control factors specifically related to chronobiological investigations. A reliability study was then performed using running as the mode of exercise for the RS test using two different RS protocols to determine the number of trials required to establish high levels of reliability. The first RS test (consisting of a total of 10 sprints, 6-s in duration with 30-s of passive recovery) was a commonly used protocol in the literature and the second was a newly created RSA protocol which is better representative of field based team sports activity (consisting of a total of 10 sprints, 3-s in duration with 30-s of passive recovery). It was established that a number of performance measures of RSA non-motorised treadmill running in both protocols were reliable. However, measures of fatigue were not. Further, it was found that both protocols took 3 sessions to fully familiarise individuals. The main aim of the next study was to investigate the sensitivity of the RSA protocol by examining the effect of altitude and fatigue on RS performance. The first finding was that acute altitude exposure reduces RS performance by 3.1 to 6.5% at 1500-m and 6.2 to 12.8% at 3000-m. The second finding was that RS performance was reduced by 4.6 to 5.8% in a fatigued state. The newly created RS performance protocol is sensitive enough to detect a negative change following altitude acute exposure and a 90-min football-specific intermittent treadmill fatiguing protocol. A diurnal protocol was then employed in order to address the clear demand for more rigorous investigations in chronobiological studies of RS performance. A total of 20 participants took part in this study and it was found that RS performance was significantly higher in the evening compared to the morning ranging from 3.3 to 8.3% in all measures except fatigue index. Diurnal variation now established in RS performance, two studies assessed whether modulating rectal and/or muscle temperature leads to a change in RS performance and further determine how much can be attributed to the influence of an endogenous, temperature-dependent component. The first study (n = 12) established that raising morning rectal temperature to evening values by active warm-up did not increase RS performance to evening values. However, lowering evening rectal or muscle temperatures to morning values by pre-cooling decreased RS performance to values normally observed in the morning. The second study (n = 12) found passively raising morning rectal temperature to evening values, or passively raising morning and evening rectal temperatures to 38.5oC did not increase RS performance nor offset diurnal variation. Both studies concluded that although central temperature may provide some endogenous rhythm to RSA, the exact mechanism(s) for a causal link between central temperature and human performance are still unclear, and may involve multiple of components and mechanisms.

The aim of this study was to examine in team sports athletes the relationship between repeated sprint ability (RSA) indices and both aerobic and anaerobic fitness components. Sixteen team-sport players were included (age, 23.4 ± 2.3 years; weight, 71.2 ± 8.3 kg; height, 178 ± 7 cm; body mass index, 22.4 ± 2 kg · m−2; estimated VO2max, 54.16 ± 3.5 mL · kg−1 · min−1). Subjects were licensed in various team sports: soccer (n = 8), basketball (n = 5), and handball (n = 3). They performed 4 tests: the 20 m multi-stage shuttle run test (MSRT), the 30-s Wingate test (WingT), the Maximal Anaerobic Shuttle Running Test (MASRT), and the RSA test (10 repetitions of 30 m shuttle sprints (15 + 15 m with 180° change of direction) with 30 s passive recovery in between). Pearson's product moment of correlation among the different physical tests was performed. No significant correlations were found between any RSA test indices and WingT. However, negative correlations were found between MASRT and RSA total sprint time (TT) and fatigue index (FI) (r = -0.53, p < 0.05 and r = -0.65, p < 0.01, respectively). No significant relationship between VO2max and RSA peak sprint time (PT) and total sprint time (TT) was found. Nevertheless, VO2max was significantly correlated with the RSA FI (r = -0.57, p < 0.05). In conclusion, aerobic fitness is an important factor influencing the ability to resist fatigue during RSA exercise. Our results highlighted the usefulness of MASRT, in contrast to WingT, as a specific anaerobic testing procedure to identify the anaerobic energy system contribution during RSA.

Purpose: To assess the effects of a taper strategy on neuromuscular and metabolic fitness in team sport athletes, through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Method: To be included in this meta-analysis, studies had to involve competitive team sport athletes and a tapering intervention providing details about the procedures used to decrease the training load, as well as competition or field-based criterion performance and all necessary data to calculate effect sizes. Four databases were searched according to these criteria, which led to the identification of 895 potential studies and the subsequent inclusion of 14 articles. Independent variables were training intensity, volume and frequency, as well as the pattern of taper and its duration. The dependent variable was performance obtained in various neuromuscular and metabolic tests. Results: There was limited evidence of a moderate taper-induced improvement in repeated sprint ability (Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) (95%IC;I2) = 0.41 (0.26–0.55;0%)) and moderate evidence of a moderate increase in maximal power (SMD (95%IC;I2) = 0.44 (0.32–0.56;15%)), change of direction speed (SMD (95%IC;I2) = 0.38 (0.15–0.60;28%)) and maximal oxygen uptake (SMD (95%IC;I2) = 0.76 (0.43–1.09;37%)). Conclusion: Tapering is an effective training strategy to improve maximal power, maximal oxygen uptake, repeated sprint ability and change of direction speed in team sports. However, the literature lacks studies using various tapering strategies to compare their effectiveness and make evidence-based recommendations. Future original studies should focus on this major issue.

In adults, plyometric training can positively influence repeated sprint ability, and sprint training can influence vertical jump capacity. However, in children and adolescents, such influences are not yet clear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of plyometric training on repeated sprinting ability and the effect of repeated sprint training on vertical jump performance in young volleyball players of both sexes. Longitudinal study with a sample of 30 adolescents, aged 11 to 14 years. The volunteers were divided into a control group, a plyometric training group, and a sprint training group, and they underwent six weeks of training (two sessions per week). Their repeated sprint ability was assessed using photocell technology, and their vertical jump capacity was evaluated on a platform with an interruption system. There was a significant difference in pre- and post-training within the groups. The Sprint Group showed improvement in the best sprint (p=0.023) and worst sprint (p=0.10). The group that performed additional plyometric training also showed improvement in the best sprint (p=0.004) and worst sprint (p=0.008). As for the countermovement vertical jump, the Sprint Group showed a significant difference from pre-training (5.04±0.67) to post-training (5.37±0.54). The repeated sprint training proved to be effective in improving both repeated sprint and vertical jump capabilities.

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of plyometric and jump training on physical performance in young male handball players. Twenty-six young male handball players were divided into two sub-groups to perform a five-week pre-season training programme supplemented with two ground-reactive protocols with an equal number of jumping exercises referred as to ground contacts: plyometric training (PLY; n = 14) and standard jump training (CON; n = 12). Before and after training, repeated sprint ability (RSA), jumping ability (JA), maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and aerobic power at the anaerobic threshold (PAT) were measured. A two-factor analysis revealed significant time effects with improvements in fat mass (p = 0.012), maximal power during the incremental cycling test (p = 0.001) and PAT (p < 0.001), power decline (PDEC) and maximal power (Pmax) in the 5th repetition (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). The training-induced changes in absolute and relative peak power in the RSA test and absolute VO2max approached significance (p = 0.06, p = 0.053 and p = 0.06). No intervention time × exercise protocol effects were observed for any indices of JA, RSA and aerobic capacity. A five-week pre-season conditioning programme supplemented with only 15 sessions of plyometric exercise did not induce any additional benefits, compared to a matched format of standard jump training, in terms of improving jumping performance and maximal power in the RSA test. Aerobic capacity and the fatigue index in RSA were maintained under these two training conditions.

Repeated sprint training (RST) on the field has been employed as a time-efficient training strategy to enhance key physical performance in soccer players, such as short-sprint ability and repeated sprint ability (RSA). However, existing evidence regarding the effects of RST on comprehensive physical performance remains inconsistent, with previous reviews limited by methodological heterogeneity and insufficient statistical power. Therefore, this study aims to systematically review and quantify the effects of field-based RST on multiple physical performance indicators in soccer players through a multilevel meta-analysis. This study adhered to the PRISMA guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO. A systematic search was conducted across databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and EBSCO from inception until August 2025. Randomized controlled trials comparing field-based RST with control training were included. Using the metafor package in R (version 4.2.1), a multilevel random-effects model was constructed to synthesize non-independent effect sizes and accurately estimate within-group correlations. Effect sizes were expressed as Hedges' g with 95% confidence intervals. Parameters were estimated using restricted maximum likelihood, and the orchard package was employed for moderator analysis and result visualization. Heterogeneity was assessed via multilevel I2 statistics. A total of 17 RCTs (386 participants) were included. The analysis revealed that RST significantly improved short-sprint ability (g = -0.26, 95% CI [-0.50, -0.03], p = 0.03), RSA (g = -0.37, 95% CI [-0.67, -0.08], p = 0.02), change of direction (CoD) ability (g = -0.70, 95% CI [-1.14, -0.25], p < 0.01) and high-intensity running (HIR) performance (g = 0.97, 95% CI [0.50, 1.43], p < 0.01). In contrast, RST did not yield significant overall effects on vertical jump (VJ) performance (g = -0.07, 95% CI [-0.40, 0.25], p = 0.64) or aerobic capacity (g = 0.02, 95% CI [-0.45, 0.50], p = 0.87). Most outcomes exhibited low heterogeneity (I2 ≤ 25.7%), with only RSA and VJ performance showing low-to-moderate heterogeneity. Field-based RST effectively enhances short-sprint ability, RSA, CoD ability and HIR performance in soccer players. However, its limited effects on VJ performance, and aerobic capacity. Future research should focus on clarifying dose-response relationships and integrating sport-specific movements and individual characteristics to optimize training prescriptions.