Are changes in maximal squat strength during pre-season training reflected in sprint performance in rugby league players?

Comfort, P ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1131-8626, Haigh, A and Matthews, MJ 2012, 'Are changes in maximal squat strength during pre-season training reflected in sprint performance in rugby league players?' , Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 26 (3) , pp. 772-776.

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Abstract

Comfort, P, Haigh, A, and Matthews, MJ. Are changes in maximal squat strength during preseason training reflected in changes in sprint performance in rugby league players? J Strength Cond Res 26(3): 772–776, 2012—Because previous research has shown a relationship between maximal squat strength and sprint performance, this study aimed to determine if changes in maximal squat strength were reflected in sprint performance. Nineteen professional rugby league players (height = 1.84 6 0.06 m, body mass [BM] = 96.2 6 11.11 kg, 1 repetition maximum [1RM] = 170.6 6 21.4 kg, 1RM/BM = 1.78 6 0.27) conducted 1RM squat and sprint tests (5, 10, and 20 m) before and immediately after 8 weeks of preseason strength (4-week Mesocycle) and power (4-week Mesocycle) training. Both absolute and relative squat strength values showed significant increases after the training period (pre: 170.6 6 21.4 kg, post: 200.8 6 19.0 kg, p , 0.001; 1RM/BM pre: 1.78 6 0.27 kg�kg21 , post: 2.05 6 0.21 kg�kg21 , p , 0.001; respectively), which was reflected in the significantly faster sprint performances over 5 m (pre: 1.05 6 0.06 seconds, post: 0.97 6 0.05 seconds, p , 0.001), 10 m (pre: 1.78 6 0.07 seconds, post: 1.65 6 0.08 seconds, p , 0.001), and 20 m (pre: 3.03 6 0.09 seconds, post: 2.85 6 0.11 seconds, p , 0.001) posttraining. Whether the improvements in sprint performance came as a direct consequence of increased strength or whether both are a function of the strength and power mesocycles incorporated into the players’ preseason training is unclear. It is likely that the increased force production, noted via the increased squat performance, contributed to the improved sprint performances. To increase short sprint performance, athletes should, therefore, consider increasing maximal strength via the back squat.

Item Type:	Article
Themes:	Health and Wellbeing
Schools:	Schools > School of Health and Society > Centre for Health Sciences Research
Journal or Publication Title:	Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
Publisher:	Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
Refereed:	Yes
ISSN:	1064-8011
Depositing User:	Dr Paul Comfort
Date Deposited:	19 Mar 2012 10:47
Last Modified:	16 Feb 2022 14:06
URI:	https://usir.salford.ac.uk/id/eprint/20739

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