08 april
dooradministratorBrett Doring,Central coast,Coastal sports,Corine withdrew,exercise,Exercise psychology,suitability,laura watt,Leigh-Anne McBride,Mariners Centre of Excellence,Matt Cranney,Michael Pung,physio,Physiotherapy,Sport,sporting performance,sports physio,sprint performance,sprint,squat strength,power,Tim Whitton,Tuggerah,Wyong
icon
Sprint performance is an important aspect of many team and individual sports. The ability to sprint over short distances of 10-40 meters is a performance indicator for many sports.
Several studies have shown that not only is lower body strength correlated with sprint performance, but increases in lower body strength have a positive carryover effect on sprint performance. This means that if you are stronger in exercises like squats, you will sprint faster, and if you have not done lower body resistance training before and start participating in these types of workouts, your sprint times will improve.
How?
The relationship between lower body strength and sprint performance is due to:
Those with greater lower body strength can produce a higher peak ground reaction force.
Those with greater lower body strength have greater force development during foot strikes while running.
Both the highest ground reaction force and the speed of force development contribute to sprint speed.
Trainingstype
Most research on strength and sprint performance focuses on the back squat, one of the most important lower body exercises. Back squat strength has been shown to positively correlate with sprint performance in a number of sports including rugby, football and athletics. Leg strength exercises such as lunges and leg presses are also a good addition to strength training. There is also research showing that strength-based movements, such as the jump squat and counter-movement jump, are beneficial for improving sprint performance.
It is best to consult a professional for a customized strength and conditioning program to improve sprint performance and ensure you are performing the exercises correctly. For elite athletes, strength training is usually done in periodic blocks throughout the season, meaning they don't always do heavy squats or strength exercises. This is an important consideration for how strength training can affect sprint performance, so it's important to consult a professional.
Book an appointment with Coast Sport by calling (02) 4356 2588 or book online using the button below.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for informational purposes only. Do not start new exercises without the recommendation of a professional.
