The Effect of a Heavy Resisted Sled-Pull Mesocycle on Sprint Performance in Junior Australian Football Players

Edwards, Toby; Piggott, Benjamin; Banyard, Harry G.; Haff, G. Gregory; Joyce, Christopher

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. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2022 National Strength and Conditioning Association.]

Citation

Edwards, T., Piggott, B., Banyard, H. G., Haff, G. G., & Joyce, C. (2022). 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

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Online Publication Date: Apr 21, 2022
• Publication Date: Apr 21, 2022
• Deposit Date: Aug 11, 2022
• Journal: Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
• Print ISSN: 1064-8011
• Publisher: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
• Volume: 37
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 388-393
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0000000000004269
• Keywords: Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, General Medicine
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000004269