The effect of a heavy resisted sled-pull mesocycle on sprint performance in junior Australian football players

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Title

Journal of strength and conditioning research

Volume

37

Issue

2

First Page

388

Last Page

393

PubMed ID

35446285

Publisher

National Strength and Conditioning Association

School

Centre for Exercise and Sports Science Research

RAS ID

56564

Comments

Edwards, T., Piggott, B., Banyard, H. G., Haff, G. G., & Joyce, C. (2023). The effect of a heavy resisted sled-pull mesocycle on sprint performance in junior Australian football players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 37(2), 388-393. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000004269

Abstract

This study assessed the effect of heavy resisted sled-pull training on sprint times and force, velocity, and power characteristics in junior Australian football players. Twenty-six athletes completed a 6-week resisted sled-pull training intervention which included 10 training sessions and 1-week taper. Instantaneous velocity during 2 maximal 30 m sprints was recorded 1 week before and 1 week after the intervention with a radar gun. Velocity-time data were used to derive sprint performance and force, velocity, and power characteristics. A paired t -test assessed the within-group differences between preintervention and postintervention testing. Statistical significance was accepted at p ≤ 0.05. Hedges' g effect sizes (ESs) were used to determine the magnitude of change in dependent variables. Maximum velocity (ES = 1.33) and sprint times at all distances (ES range 0.80-1.41) significantly improved after heavy resisted sled-pull training. This was reflected in sprint force, velocity, and power characteristics with significant improvements in relative theoretical force (ES = 0.63), theoretical velocity (ES = 0.99), relative maximum power (ES = 1.04), and ratio of horizontal to vertical force (ES = 0.99). Despite the multifactorial nature of training and competing physical demands associated with preseason training, these findings imply that a short, resisted sled-pull training mesocycle may improve sprint performance and underlying force, velocity, and power characteristics in junior athletes.

DOI

10.1519/JSC.0000000000004269

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