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

Comfort, P; Haigh, A; Matthews, MJ

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.

Citation

Comfort, P., Haigh, A., & Matthews, M. (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), 772-776. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e31822a5cbf

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Mar 1, 2012
• Deposit Date: Mar 19, 2012
• Journal: Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
• Print ISSN: 1064-8011
• Publisher: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 26
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 772-776
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e31822a5cbf
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e31822a5cbf