Understanding sprint phase-specific training stimuli: a cluster analysis approach to overload conditions

IntroductionThis study analyzed the impact of various overload conditions on sprint performance compared to free sprinting, aiming to identify the loading scenarios that most closely replicate the mechanics of unresisted sprints across the full acceleration spectrum. While velocity-based training me...

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Main Authors: Pedro Jiménez-Reyes, Roland van den Tillaar, Adrián Castaño-Zambudio, Sam Gleadhill, Ryu Nagahara
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-12-01
Series:Frontiers in Sports and Active Living
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2024.1510379/full
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author Pedro Jiménez-Reyes
Roland van den Tillaar
Adrián Castaño-Zambudio
Sam Gleadhill
Ryu Nagahara
author_facet Pedro Jiménez-Reyes
Roland van den Tillaar
Adrián Castaño-Zambudio
Sam Gleadhill
Ryu Nagahara
author_sort Pedro Jiménez-Reyes
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionThis study analyzed the impact of various overload conditions on sprint performance compared to free sprinting, aiming to identify the loading scenarios that most closely replicate the mechanics of unresisted sprints across the full acceleration spectrum. While velocity-based training methods have gained popularity, their applicability is limited to the plateau phase of sprinting.MethodsTo address this limitation, we employed cluster analysis to identify scenarios that best replicate the mechanical characteristics of free sprinting across various overload conditions. Sixteen experienced male sprinters performed sprints under six conditions: unresisted, overspeed (OS) and four overloaded conditions inducing a velocity loss (VL) of 10%, 25%, 50% and 65% using a resistance training device with intelligent drag technology. Ground reaction forces and spatiotemporal parameters were recorded for all steps using a 52-meter force plate system for all sprint conditions.ResultsCluster analysis revealed four distinct groups aligning with established sprint phases: initial contact, early-acceleration, mid-acceleration, and late-acceleration. Results showed that heavier loads prolonged the mechanical conditions typical of early-acceleration and mid-acceleration phases, potentially enhancing training stimuli for these crucial sprint components of sprint performance. Specifically, VL50 and VL65 loads extended the early-acceleration phase mechanics to steps 7–8, compared to steps 2–4 for lighter loads. Conversely, lighter loads more effectively replicated late-acceleration mechanics, but only after covering substantial distances, typically from the 11- to 29-meter mark onwards.DiscussionThese findings suggest that tailoring overload conditions to specific sprint phases can optimize sprint-specific training and provide coaches with precise strategies for load prescription. These insights offer a more nuanced approach to resistance-based sprint training by accounting for every step across all acceleration phases, rather than focusing solely on the plateau phase, which accounts for only 20–30% of the steps collected during initial contact to peak velocity depending on the analyzed overload condition.
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spelling doaj-art-d8daff4a3ea64100b11c12715f1a84d52025-08-20T02:38:54ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sports and Active Living2624-93672024-12-01610.3389/fspor.2024.15103791510379Understanding sprint phase-specific training stimuli: a cluster analysis approach to overload conditionsPedro Jiménez-Reyes0Roland van den Tillaar1Adrián Castaño-Zambudio2Sam Gleadhill3Ryu Nagahara4Sport Sciences Research Centre, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, SpainDepartment of Sports Sciences and Physical Education, Nord University, Levanger, NorwaySport Sciences Research Centre, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, SpainUniversity of South Australia, Adelaide, AustraliaNational Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya, Kanoya, JapanIntroductionThis study analyzed the impact of various overload conditions on sprint performance compared to free sprinting, aiming to identify the loading scenarios that most closely replicate the mechanics of unresisted sprints across the full acceleration spectrum. While velocity-based training methods have gained popularity, their applicability is limited to the plateau phase of sprinting.MethodsTo address this limitation, we employed cluster analysis to identify scenarios that best replicate the mechanical characteristics of free sprinting across various overload conditions. Sixteen experienced male sprinters performed sprints under six conditions: unresisted, overspeed (OS) and four overloaded conditions inducing a velocity loss (VL) of 10%, 25%, 50% and 65% using a resistance training device with intelligent drag technology. Ground reaction forces and spatiotemporal parameters were recorded for all steps using a 52-meter force plate system for all sprint conditions.ResultsCluster analysis revealed four distinct groups aligning with established sprint phases: initial contact, early-acceleration, mid-acceleration, and late-acceleration. Results showed that heavier loads prolonged the mechanical conditions typical of early-acceleration and mid-acceleration phases, potentially enhancing training stimuli for these crucial sprint components of sprint performance. Specifically, VL50 and VL65 loads extended the early-acceleration phase mechanics to steps 7–8, compared to steps 2–4 for lighter loads. Conversely, lighter loads more effectively replicated late-acceleration mechanics, but only after covering substantial distances, typically from the 11- to 29-meter mark onwards.DiscussionThese findings suggest that tailoring overload conditions to specific sprint phases can optimize sprint-specific training and provide coaches with precise strategies for load prescription. These insights offer a more nuanced approach to resistance-based sprint training by accounting for every step across all acceleration phases, rather than focusing solely on the plateau phase, which accounts for only 20–30% of the steps collected during initial contact to peak velocity depending on the analyzed overload condition.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2024.1510379/fullresistance-based sprint trainingoverload conditionsground reaction forcesdynaspeedrunning speedsprint phases
spellingShingle Pedro Jiménez-Reyes
Roland van den Tillaar
Adrián Castaño-Zambudio
Sam Gleadhill
Ryu Nagahara
Understanding sprint phase-specific training stimuli: a cluster analysis approach to overload conditions
Frontiers in Sports and Active Living
resistance-based sprint training
overload conditions
ground reaction forces
dynaspeed
running speed
sprint phases
title Understanding sprint phase-specific training stimuli: a cluster analysis approach to overload conditions
title_full Understanding sprint phase-specific training stimuli: a cluster analysis approach to overload conditions
title_fullStr Understanding sprint phase-specific training stimuli: a cluster analysis approach to overload conditions
title_full_unstemmed Understanding sprint phase-specific training stimuli: a cluster analysis approach to overload conditions
title_short Understanding sprint phase-specific training stimuli: a cluster analysis approach to overload conditions
title_sort understanding sprint phase specific training stimuli a cluster analysis approach to overload conditions
topic resistance-based sprint training
overload conditions
ground reaction forces
dynaspeed
running speed
sprint phases
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2024.1510379/full
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