The Effects of a Complex Training Protocol, with Strength and Power Pre-activation Stimulus, on Sprint Running in Adolescent Sprinters

Abstract

Pre-activation training protocols prepare in the best possible way, athletes to perform with the best possible manner the specific movements as running velocity, jumping, etc. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of complex training in maximum running speed and its individual phases in adolescent athletes. Twenty-two track and field sprinters volunteered to participate in this study. Participants were divided into two equal groups of eleven athletes, an experimental group (EG) (age 15.6 ± 0.9 years, height 175.7 ± 5.8 cm, body mass 62.7 ± 4.1kg, body fat percentage 7.9 ± 1.7%) and a control group (CG) (age 15.5 ± 0.7 years, height 173.2 ± 5.0 cm, body mass 65.6 ± 8.6kg, body fat percentage 8.6 ± 1.3%). The EG implemented the experimental protocol simultaneously with the rest of training process for eight weeks, while CG continued its normal training without using the combined method of experimental protocol. Participants in EG performed the complex training protocol twice a week. Experimental protocol included as preactivation stimulus for 20m and 60m, squats (11 to7 reps 70-80% 1RM) and six vertical jumps. Before and after the 8 weeks, both groups were evaluated for 60m running distance. Six pairs of photocells (STC3/ACCO58) with an electronic timer (Microgate Raice Time RAC 201) were used to record the distances of 0-10m, 10-20m, 0-20m, 20-40m, 40-50m, 50-60m, 0-60m, 40-60m, 0-50m and 0-40m. General linear model for repeated measures and paired sample t-test, were used for statistical analysis. Significance level was set at p<0.05. The results revealed statistically significant differences and improvements in performance of EG during the maximal sprint phase of 40-60m (F₁, ₂₀ = 7,463, p = 0.013) and improvements in performance for distances of 0-10m, 0-20m 0-40m, 0-50m, 0-60m and 40-60m. In conclusion, combined pre-activation protocol is efficient and can be used in designing training equally effective in acceleration phase and in the maximum speed phase (40-60m).