Changes in Velocity Decrement at Different Phases of a 30-Meter Resisted Sprint
Vol.19,No.2(2025)
Adam Lipčák
Marián Škorik
Tomáš Kalina
Resisted sprint training is one of the most studied methods for developing speed capabilities, especially for elite-level athletes. While traditional sled training relies on a fixed load based on the percentage of body mass, recent research suggests that resistance based on velocity decrement (Vdec) may be a more practical option. This study examines whether Vdec at a given resistance remains consistent or varies across different phases of a 30 m sprint. Twelve male participants with a speed-focused training history were involved in this study. Participants performed 30 m sprint trials, with time splits recorded at 10 m intervals (0–10 m, 10–20 m, 20–30 m) and additional segmental analysis for distances 0–20 m, 10–30 m and the entire 0–30 m sprint. Each participant completed two repetitions at five different resistance levels provided by a cable-driven motorised resistance system (1080 Sprint). The analysis of horizontal force-velocity-power parameters showed moderate variation in force generation of the subjects, with an average theoretical maximal force of 6.33 ± 0.85 N/kg and a relatively consistent maximal velocity of 9.39 ± 0.42 m/s. The study revealed a statistically significant difference in % Vdec (p ≤ 0.05) across different sprint phases, with higher resistance leading to increased differences in the individual phases of the run. Segmental analysis showed a greater % Vdec as sprint distance increased across all resistance levels. These findings highlight the need for a deeper understanding of resisted sprint training for more effective speed development.
resistance sprint; acceleration; performance; external load; Vdec
Buchheit, M., & Eriksrud, O. (2024). Maximal locomotor function in elite football: Protocols and metrics for acceleration, speed, deceleration, and change of direction using a motorized resistance device. Sport Performance & Science Reports, 238(1).
Cahill, M. J., Cronin, J. B., Oliver, J. L., P. Clark, K., Lloyd, R. S., & Cross, M. R. (2019). Sled Pushing and Pulling to Enhance Speed Capability. Strength & Conditioning Journal, 41(4), 94–104. https://doi.org/10.1519/SSC.0000000000000460
Cross, M. R., Lahti, J., Brown, S. R., Chedati, M., Jimenez-Reyes, P., Samozino, P., Eriksrud, O., & Morin, J.-B. (2018). Training at maximal power in resisted sprinting: Optimal load determination methodology and pilot results in team sport athletes. PLoS ONE, 13(4), e0195477. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0195477
Haugen, T. (2017). Sprint conditioning of elite soccer players: Worth the effort or lets just buy faster players? Sport Performance & Science Reports, 4(v1), 1–3.
Kawamori, N., Nosaka, K., & Newton, R. U. (2013). Relationships between ground reaction impulse and sprint acceleration performance in team sport athletes. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 27(3), 568–573. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e318257805a
Lahti, J., Huuhka, T., Romero, V., Bezodis, I., Morin, J.-B., & Häkkinen, K. (2020). Changes in sprint performance and sagittal plane kinematics after heavy resisted sprint training in professional soccer players. PeerJ, 8, e10507. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.10507
Lipčák, A., & Kalina, T. (2024). Effect of Resistance on 20 m Running Performance. Studia Sportiva, 18. https://doi.org/10.5817/StS2024-1-11
Morin, J.-B., Capelo-Ramirez, F., Rodriguez-Pérez, M. A., Cross, M. R., & Jimenez-Reyes, P. (2022). Individual Adaptation Kinetics Following Heavy Resisted Sprint Training. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 36(4), 1158. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000003546
Morin, J.-B., & Samozino, P. (2016). Interpreting Power-Force-Velocity Profiles for Individualized and Specific Training. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 11(2), 267–272. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2015-0638
Petrakos, G., Morin, J.-B., & Egan, B. (2016). Resisted Sled Sprint Training to Improve Sprint Performance: A Systematic Review. Sports Medicine, 46(3), 381–400. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-015-0422-8
Petrakos, G., Tynan, N. C., Vallely-Farrell, A. M., Kiely, C., Boudhar, A., & Egan, B. (2019). Reliability of the Maximal Resisted Sprint Load Test and Relationships With Performance Measures and Anthropometric Profile in Female Field Sport Athletes. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 33(6), 1703–1713. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000002228
Rakovic, E., Paulsen, G., Helland, C., Haugen, T., & Eriksrud, O. (2022). Validity and Reliability of a Motorized Sprint Resistance Device. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 36(8), 2335. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000003830
van den Tillaar, R., Gleadhill, S., Jiménez-Reyes, P., & Nagahara, R. (2023). A Load–Velocity Relationship in Sprint? Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 8(3), 135. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk8030135
Watkins, C. M., Storey, A., McGuigan, M. R., Downes, P., & Gill, N. D. (2021). Horizontal Force-Velocity-Power Profiling of Rugby Players: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Competition-Level and Position-Specific Movement Demands. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 35(6), 1576. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000004027
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Copyright © 2025 Daniel Marčan, Tomáš Kalina, Adam Lipčák, Marián Škorik, Petr Tomek