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Repeated sprint ability tests and intensity–time curvature constant to predict short-distance running performances

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Abstract

Purpose

Anaerobic efforts are commonly required through repeated sprint during efforts in many sports, making the anaerobic pathway a target of training. Nevertheless, to identify improvements on such energetic way it is necessary to assess anaerobic capacity or power, which is usually complex. For this purpose, authors have postulated the use of short running performances to anaerobic ability assessment. Thus, the aim of this study was to find a relationship between running performances on anaerobic power, anaerobic capacity or repeated sprint ability.

Methods

Thirteen military performed maximal running of 50 (P50), 100 (P100) and 300 (P300) m on track, beyond of running-based anaerobic sprint test (RAST; RSA and anaerobic power test), maximal anaerobic running test (MART; RSA and anaerobic capacity test) and the W′ from critical power model (anaerobic capacity test).

Results

By RAST variables, peak and average power (absolute and relative) and maximum velocity were significantly correlated with P50 (r = −0.68, p = 0.03 and −0.76, p = 0.01; −0.83, p < 0.01 and −0.83, p < 0.01; and −0.78, p < 0.01), respectively. The maximum intensity of MART was negatively and significantly correlated with P100 (r = −0.59) and W′ was not statistically correlated with any of the performances.

Conclusion

MART and W′ were not correlated with short running performances, having a weak performance predicting probably due to its longer duration in relation to assessed performances. Observing RAST outcomes, we postulated that such a protocol can be used during daily training as short running performance predictor.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the Brazilian Army for contribution, releasing their soldiers and running tracks to perform this study.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Ethical standard

All institutional and national guidelines for the care of Humans were followed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Applied Sport Physiology, Department of Sport Sciences, School of Applied Sciences, University of Campinas, Pedro Zaccaria Street, 1.300, Jardim Santa Luíza, Limeira, SP, 13484-350, Brazil

    Wladimir Rafael Beck & Claudio Alexandre Gobatto

  2. Faculty of Physical Education, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil

    Wladimir Rafael Beck & Claudio Alexandre Gobatto

  3. Department of Physical Education, São Paulo State University, Baurú, Brazil

    Alessandro Moura Zagatto

Authors
  1. Wladimir Rafael Beck
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  2. Alessandro Moura Zagatto
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  3. Claudio Alexandre Gobatto
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Correspondence to Claudio Alexandre Gobatto.

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Beck, W.R., Zagatto, A.M. & Gobatto, C.A. Repeated sprint ability tests and intensity–time curvature constant to predict short-distance running performances. Sport Sci Health 10, 105–110 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-014-0180-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-014-0180-2

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