Sprint performance changes in adolescent athletes following a 6-week elastic resistance training program: a preliminary field study.

This study examined the effects of a 6-week ladder training program on sprint performance and selected kinematic parameters in prepubescent male and female track and field athletes. Twenty-four children (7.2 ± 1.0 years) were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (EXP, n = 10) or a control group (CON, n = 14). The EXP group completed ladder training twice weekly in addition to regular track and field practice, while the CON group followed traditional training only. Sprint performance over 15 meters and kinematic variables (stride length, frequency, and average velocity, along with joint angular kinematics and their asymmetry) were measured before and after the intervention. Significant group × time interaction effects ( p < 0.05) were observed for the 0–5 m, 0–10 m, and total 15-m sprint performance, indicating improvements in the EXP group, particularly in the early acceleration phase. No significant group × time interaction effects ( p > 0.05) were found for the 5–10 m and 10–15 m segments, or for any kinematic parameters. The present findings suggest that ladder training may enhance early-phase sprint performance in young athletes. This improvement is underpinned by individual variations in kinematic responses, such as adjustments in step length or step frequency, which are not fully captured at the group-average level.

Adaptations and acute physiological effects of various resistance training programs in adolescent and elite athletes

Background: Strength and the strength–power continuum may increase athletic performance, although data are scarce regarding the effects of long-term periodized training on the athletic performance of adolescent track and field athletes. The purpose of this study was to investigate performance modifications following 8 weeks of strength and strength–power resistance training, focusing on the athletic performance of adolescent track and field athletes. Methods: Following an equivalent single-arm pre–post intervention design, 16 adolescent athletes (age: 16.3 ± 0.5 years; mass: 56.5 ± 10.4 kg; height: 1.67 ± 0.07 m) participated in the study. Athletes followed an 8-week periodized resistance training program aiming to increase strength and strength–power. Measurements were performed before (T1), at the middle (T2) and at the end of the training period (T3) and included the standing long jump, single-leg standing long jump, five-step long jump, seated medicine ball throw, 0–80 m sprint and 1RM in the bench press and parallel squat. Results: The standing long jump (F(2,14) = 109.564; η2 = 0.940; p = 0.001), single-leg long jump (F(2,14) > 41.801; η2 = 0.857; p = 0.001) and five-step long jump (F(2,14) = 148.564; η2 = 0.955; p = 0.001) improved significantly from T1 to T2 (p < 0.001) and from T2 to T3 (p < 0.001). The seated medicine ball throw (F(2,14) = 124.305; η2 = 0.947; p = 0.001) and sprinting performance (F(2,14) = 51.581; η2 = 0.828; p = 0.001) were significantly enhanced from T1 to T2 (p < 0.001) and from T2 to T3 (p < 0.001). The 1RM in the bench press (F(2,14) = 36.280; η2 = 0.838, p = 0.001) and in the parallel squat (F(2,14) = 48.165; η2 = 0.873, p = 0.001) increased significantly from T1 to T2 (p < 0.001) and from T2 to T3 (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Strength and the strength–power continuum appear to have a positive effect on the physical fitness of adolescent track and field athletes, which highlights the importance of strength-based resistance training programs in adolescent athletes.

To characterize spirometry and to document the incidence of exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) during competition in elite track and field athletes. Spirometry was performed in 120 men and 69 women athletes before competition and peak expiratory flows in 50 men and 23 women athletes before and after competition. The 1991 (Randalls Island, NY, U.S.A.) and the 1993 (Eugene, OR, U.S.A.) National Track and Field Championships (World Championship team-qualifying meet). American track and field athletes who met World Championship qualifying standards. Spirometry (Cybermedic, Inc., Boulder, CO, U.S.A.) and peak expiratory flows (Personal Best, Healthscan Products, Cedar Grove, NJ, U.S.A.)--the best of three reproducible efforts. Male sprinters had lower vital capacities than other track athletes, whereas both male and female field (throwing) athletes had larger vital capacities than both runners and other field athletes. Decreases of 10% peak expiratory flows were found in 10% of men and 26% of women track athletes within 15 min after competition. The incidence was higher in longer-distance events. Most participants did not have a history of asthma. A higher-than-expected prevalence of EIB was found in high-level track athletes. The results suggest that spirometry and/or peak flows should be measured in track athletes because small decreases in airflow may impair training or performance, a condition that is easily treated.

What variables determine sprint performance in young athletes?

Pickering, C, Suraci, B, Semenova, EA, Boulygina, EA, Kostryukova, ES, Kulemin, NA, Borisov, OV, Khabibova, SA, Larin, AK, Pavlenko, AV, Lyubaeva, EV, Popov, DV, Lysenko, EA, Vepkhvadze, TF, Lednev, EM, Leońska-Duniec, A, Pająk, B, Chycki, J, Moska, W, Lulińska-Kuklik, E, Dornowski, M, Maszczyk, A, Bradley, B, Kana-ah, A, Cięszczyk, P, Generozov, EV, and Ahmetov, II. A genome-wide association study of sprint performance in elite youth football players. J Strength Cond Res 33(9): 2344-2351, 2019-Sprint speed is an important component of football performance, with teams often placing a high value on sprint and acceleration ability. The aim of this study was to undertake the first genome-wide association study to identify genetic variants associated with sprint test performance in elite youth football players and to further validate the obtained results in additional studies. Using micro-array data (600 K-1.14 M single nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs]) of 1,206 subjects, we identified 12 SNPs with suggestive significance after passing replication criteria. The polymorphism rs55743914 located in the PTPRK gene was found as the most significant for 5-m sprint test (p = 7.7 × 10). Seven of the discovered SNPs were also associated with sprint test performance in a cohort of 126 Polish women, and 4 were associated with power athlete status in a cohort of 399 elite Russian athletes. Six SNPs were associated with muscle fiber type in a cohort of 96 Russian subjects. We also examined genotype distributions and possible associations for 16 SNPs previously linked with sprint performance. Four SNPs (AGT rs699, HSD17B14 rs7247312, IGF2 rs680, and IL6 rs1800795) were associated with sprint test performance in this cohort. In addition, the G alleles of 2 SNPs in ADRB2 (rs1042713 & rs1042714) were significantly over-represented in these players compared with British and European controls. These results suggest that there is a genetic influence on sprint test performance in footballers, and identifies some of the genetic variants that help explain this influence.

We determined the effects of wearing a cloth facemask on exercise performance and subjective responses during training of track and field athletes. Track and field athletes (n = 10, sprinters and long jumpers) performed two training sessions with and without a three-layered antiviral cloth facemask. The training session simulated the specific demands of the sport, consisting of five 30-m sprints, interspersed with passive 4-min intervals. Countermovement jump performance was assessed pre- and post-sprints, and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and affect were collected throughout. There was no evidence of condition*time interactions for sprint time (P = 0.21) or acceleration (P = 0.47). There was weak evidence of a condition effect on RPE (P = 0.05), though no condition*time interaction (P = 0.35). There was moderate evidence of a condition*time interaction for affect (P = 0.02), with lower ratings following sprints 3, 4 and 5 when using the mask. These findings suggest that wearing a mask may negatively impact subjective feelings of training without necessarily harming sprint performance.

BackgroundRaw data obtained through bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) have been applied in different populations to assess body fluids and cell integrity. Assessing raw BIA parameters in specific muscles is an emerging method for evaluating muscle function. We investigated the associations of the BIA-derived variables of resistance (R), reactance (Xc) and phase angle (PhA) measured through whole-body (WB) and muscle-localized (ML) methods with performance in the countermovement jump (CMJ) and 50-meter (m) sprint.MethodsThirty-one male track and field athletes (16.5 ± 1.6 years) were assessed. Fat-free mass (FFM) and Fat mass percentage (%FM) were determined by skinfold thickness. BIA at 50 kHz was employed to obtain the WB and ML (right thigh) parameters. The WB and ML-BIA parameters were adjusted by height (R/H, Xc/H) and segment length (R/L, Xc/L). The CMJ assessment was conducted via a contact mat; the software recorded the jump height. The 50-m sprint time was measured via two sets of photocells. Pearson’s correlation and linear multiple regression were performed.ResultsML-PhA was inversely related to the 50-m sprint (β=-0.56) and by itself explained 29% of the sprint time variation. It remained a significant predictor even after adjusting for age, height, FFM and peak height velocity (PHV). ML-R/L was directly related to 50-m sprint (β = 0.48) and inversely related to CMJ performance (β=-0.54), explaining 20% and 27% of the variation in 50-m sprint and CMJ performance, respectively. Similarly, it remained a significant predictor in the adjusted models. Correlations between WB-BIA (PhA, R/H) and performance tests were found to be dependent on covariates.ConclusionsIn this sample, the ML-BIA parameters of R/L and PhA were significantly associated with performance independent of age, height, FFM and PHV. Higher ML-PhA values were associated with better sprint times, whereas higher ML-R/L values were associated with worse sprint times and CMJ performance.

Current literature suggests that brief exposure to whole-body vibration (WBV) may enhance dynamic activities, such as sprint performance. PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of WBV exposure during a preconditioning activity on acute sprint performance. METHODS: 14 trained male track and field athletes (21 ± 3 yrs; 179.6 ± 4.6 cm; 80.1 ± 9.5 kg) participated in four trials separated by at least 48 hours of rest. Each trial consisted of a dynamic warm-up, followed by four 5 second bouts of running in place with high knees on a vibration platform with frequencies set either at 0 Hz (CON), 30 Hz, 40 Hz, or 50 Hz (with 30 seconds rest between each). The frequencies were randomized between the four trials for each subject. 40 m sprint performance was recorded one and four minutes following the final vibration exposure. Split times were recorded at 10, 20 and 40 m. A double MANOVA was utilized to evaluate the differences between sprint trials across all frequencies of WBV, and the differences between sprint trials. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between the first and second sprints for 10, 20 and 40 m split times across all frequencies. In addition, no significant differences were found between sprinting times across all vibration bouts for 10, 20 and 40 m splits. CONCLUSION: Although the treatment did not produce any statistically significant findings, mean changes as small as 0.05 seconds (CON vs. 30Hz for 40 m #2) may have worthwhile implications for track and field athletes in competition. Perhaps WBV exposure would benefit sprints greater than 40 m. Varying the vibration exposure within each treatment may yield different results.Table 1: Sprint times (Mean ± SD)

Objectives:The impact of fatigue on injury risk to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in adolescent athletes is unknown. Identifying athletes who demonstrate increased risk for injury may help determine who would benefit from early neuromuscular control intervention for injury prevention. The goal of this study was to determine if fatigue increases ACL injury risk in adolescent athletes using the drop-jump test to assess dynamic valgus.Methods:Youth and adolescent competitive athletes were recruited for this video analysis study. Participants were recorded performing the standard drop-jump test assessing dynamic valgus on landing three times. They then completed a standardized fatigue protocol consisting of a timed period of high-intensity aerobic tasks. A set amount of fatigue was quantified and achieved using a maximum vertical jump, which was compared to pre-fatigue values. The drop-jump test was then repeated three additional times post-fatigue. All drop-jump recordings (six in total) were randomized by order and scored for dynamic knee valgus by three independent reviewers. A multivariable analysis was performed to assess the correlation between demographic variables and injury risk.Results:Forty-seven female patients and thirty-eight male athletes were included in the study. The average age was 15.4 years (age 14-18). Athletes were found to have significantly higher ACL injury risk post-fatigue when compared to pre-fatigue (p = .001). Thirty-five athletes were found to change from low/medium injury risk pre-fatigue to medium/high risk post fatigue. No demographic variables were found to contribute to ACL injury risk.Conclusion:In adolescent athletes, fatigue appears to increase risk of ACL injury through drop-jump testing. Age, BMI, and hip width were not found to contribute to ACL injury risk. Implementation of neuromuscular or conditioning programs for at-risk athletes may reduce injury risk.

The purpose of the study was to determine the acute responses to a jump squat protocol designed to induce postactivation potentiation on sprint running performance in experienced track and field athletes and soccer players. Twenty-five regional level athletes (12 track and field: ∼17 years; ∼177 cm; ∼73 kg and 13 soccer: ∼18 years; ∼175 cm; ∼72 kg) performed 2 test sessions assessing 40-m sprint running performance in a balanced, crossover design. Dual-beam light timing gates measured 0-20 and 20-40 m sprint times before and after either 9 minutes of sitting (control) or 2 sets of 6 repetition half-squat jump with the load eliciting maximum power (experimental) conditions. Sprint performance was significantly enhanced over both 0-20 m (3.09 ± 0.07 to 3.04 ± 0.08 seconds; Δ ∼1.5%; p ≤ 0.05) and 20-40 m (2.42 ± 0.09 to 2.39 ± 0.09 seconds; Δ ∼1%; p ≤ 0.05) in track and field athletes only. Also, the magnitude of enhanced sprint performance was related to baseline 0-20 m sprint performance (r = 0.44; p = 0.028; n = 25). It seems that using loaded half-squat jumps to enhance sprint performance could be used in training of high-level young athletes.

In order to become a successful track and field athlete, an athlete must develop skills in flexibility, agility and speed. However, to date, all the research regarding flexibility, agility and speed have concentrated on normal athletes. The present study extends this line of research to disabled track and field athletes in Malaysia. The aims of the present study were to achieve the set a benchmark for measuring level of flexibility, speed and agility among track and field athletes with disabilities; and to examine the influence of participation in either track or field events on the development of flexibility, agility and speed. Thirty-eight (n=38) track and field athletes with disabilities comprising of 27 males and 11 females participated in the study. Each participant completed six tests made up of sit and reach test, lateral change of direction test, hand grip strength test; back leg dynamometer test and sit-up test. A descriptive analysis was used to assess differences in performance between track and field athletes with disabilities on the six tests. It was observed that track athletes with disabilities were superior on agility, speed and agility than field athletes with disabilities. All the data were analysed using SPSS and presented as mean of (± SEM). The mean value height and weight for male 168.35 ± 1.46m and 66.73 ± 3.28kg. Meanwhile, the mean value height and weight for female’s 153.82 ± 2.10m and 45.08 ± 1.94kg. For male Body Mass Index (BMI), the mean was 23.33 ± 4.5 kg.m2 and 19.09 ± 1.6 kg.m2 for females. When divided according to gender category, the mean back grip test for male subjects was 92.06 ± 44.2 kg and 48.45 ± 17.2 kg for females. Sit-ups test revealed that the mean performance for male was 35.52 ± 9.8 and 28.36 ± 8.14 for the female athletes. Besides that in the sit and reach test, the mean for male athletes was 30.78 ± 12.2 cm and 23.18 ± 12.40 cm for females athletes. In the hand grip test, male subjects mean was 70.51 ± 30.5 kg and 45.47 ± 15.91 kg for females. The mean value for lateral change of direction test for male athletes was 13.66 ± 3.7 and 15.78 ± 2.9 for the female athletes. The field athletes were, however, superior on flexibility, back grip test and hand-grip test than track disabled athletes. The results showed the three measures of flexibility, agility and speed were appropriate for determining the physical fitness level of track and field *Faculty of Sports Science and Recreation, Universiti Teknologi Mara, Malaysia, SMK Syed Mashor, Batang kali, Selangor, Malaysia Faculty of Health Sciences, Puncak Alam Campus, Universiti Teknologi Mara, Malaysia, School of Education & Social Development, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia UUM College of Arts and Sciences, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Malaysia athletes with disabilities.

Body Composition and Bone Mineral Density of Division 1 Collegiate Track and Field Athletes, a Consortium of College Athlete Research (C-CAR) Study

Background: Little is known of injury patterns in track and field (athletics). Injury prevalence has been proposed as the most appropriate measure of the injury rate in sports where athletes are at risk for overuse problems. Purpose: To ascertain 1-year retrospective and current prevalence of injury in elite track and field athletes to help plan injury prevention programs for this sport. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: Two hundred seventy-eight youth (16 years old) and adult athletes from an eligible study population of 321 athletes were included. Results: The 1-year retrospective injury prevalence was 42.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 36.9%-49.0%); the point prevalence was 35.4% (95% CI, 29.7%-41.4%). The diagnosis group displaying the highest injury prevalence was inflammation and pain in the gradual onset category (1-year prevalence, 20.9%; 95% CI, 16.2%-26.2%; and point prevalence, 23.2%; 95% CI, 18.4%-28.7%). A strong tendency for higher 1-year prevalence of 16.5% (95% CI, 12.2%-21.4%) than point prevalence of 8.5% (95% CI, 5.5%-12.5%) was recorded for sudden onset injuries in the diagnosis group sprain, strain, and rupture. The body region showing the highest injury prevalence was the knee and lower leg with 15.0% (95% CI, 11.0%-19.8%) 1-year prevalence and 13.7% (95% CI, 9.8%-18.3%) point prevalence, followed by the Achilles tendon, ankle, and foot/toe with 11.7% (95% CI, 8.2%-16.1%) 1-year prevalence and 11.4% (95% CI, 7.9%-15.8%) point prevalence. Conclusion: The injury prevalence is high among Swedish elite track and field athletes. Most of the injuries affect the lower extremities and are associated with a gradual onset. Although it is associated with a potential recall bias, the 1-year retrospective prevalence measure captured more sudden onset injuries than the point prevalence measure. Future prospective studies in track and field are needed to identify groups of athletes at increased risk.

Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) has been shown to improve athletic performance by enhancing shoulder range of motion, flexibility, and balance in various sports. However, its effects on sprint performance, particularly in competitive environments, remain understudied. Sprinting is a high-intensity activity that depends on anaerobic capacity, neuromuscular efficiency, and volume of oxygen (VO2) max. Although OMT has demonstrated potential in enhancing muscle function, its acute impact on 60-m sprint performance has not been established. This randomized controlled study, approved by the Rocky Vista University Institutional Review Board (IRB), aimed to evaluate whether OMT could improve 60-m sprint times in competitive athletes and explore its potential integration into sideline protocols. Participants were 31 young adults recruited from the community. After providing informed consent, participants completed a standardized 10-min dynamic warm-up, followed by their first timed 60-m sprint trial. Participants were then randomized into two groups: a treatment group receiving a 5-min lower-extremity OMT protocol administered by an osteopathic physician, and a control group receiving 5 min of sham therapeutic ultrasound (STU). A second 60-m sprint was performed under identical conditions to the first trial. Sprint times were measured individually to ensure consistency. Statistical analysis revealed modest improvements in sprint times within both groups. The treatment group showed a mean improvement of 0.0693 s, while the control group demonstrated a 0.0275 s improvement. Further paired t-test analyses showed that the results were not significant. Although these improvements were not statistically significant, they indicate a slight trend favoring OMT. Between-group analysis did not reveal significant differences (p=0.477), suggesting that the observed changes were comparable across groups. Although OMT produced slight improvements in sprint performance, these changes were not statistically significant. This suggests that OMT may not yield immediate measurable benefits for 60-m sprint times in young adults. However, the observed trend warrants further investigation. Future studies with larger sample sizes, varied athletic populations, and alternative treatment protocols may help clarify the acute effects of OMT on sprint performance. These findings contribute to the growing body of research on OMT and raise new questions regarding its potential role in enhancing performance in athletic activities.