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Repeat Sprint Ability: Ó National Strength and Conditioning Association
Repeat Sprint Ability: Ó National Strength and Conditioning Association
PHOSPHATES AT A FAST RATE. tained throughout the repetition. This ond (23); stores are largely depleted
TO SPRINT REPEATEDLY, sprint duration is considered valid as within 10 seconds of sprinting (18).
THE AEROBIC SYSTEM MUST a recent review of RSA by Spencer et al. However, as with ATP, because of
RESYNTHESIZE POLYMERASE (35) found that field-based team sports the contribution made by the other
CHAIN REACTION, REMOVE are consistent in mean sprint time and pathways, PCr is not normally depleted.
ACCUMULATED INTRACELLULAR distance, 2–3 seconds and 10–20 m, For example, more than 30 seconds
INORGANIC PHOSPHATE, AND respectively. PCr is only depleted by 60–80% (11),
OXIDIZE LACTATE DURING REST 10 seconds 40–70% (24), 6 seconds
PERIODS. WHETHER THIS CAN THE BIOCHEMISTRY OF REPEAT 30–55% (11), and 2.5 seconds (of elec-
SPRINT ABILITY trical muscle stimulation) 26% (23);
BE APPRECIABLY IMPROVED
VIA A HIGH V̇ O2MAX REMAINS
To appreciate RSA, we must first look these results suggest that the ATP for
at the biochemical production of power. short sprints is also heavily subsidized
CONTROVERSIAL. HOWEVER, IT IS
From a metabolic perspective, power is by anaerobic glycolysis.
LIKELY IMPROVED VIA ANAEROBIC
dictated by the rate at which adenosine
QUALITIES SUCH AS STRENGTH, PCr is resynthesized by the aerobic
triphosphate (ATP) is used to fuel mus-
POWER, AND SPEED, ALONG system, and thus, its contribution to
cle contractions. For example, sprint
WITH THE ATHLETE’S VELOCITY subsequent sprints is governed by the
speed is related to the ability to deplete
AT ONSET OF BLOOD LACTATE length of rest period; it resynthesizes at
large amounts of high-energy phos-
ACCUMULATION. WHEN around 1.3 mmol/kg dry muscle per
phates at a fast rate (20). Thus, power
REPORTING REPEAT SPRINT second (17). Approximately 84% of
is a reflection of the intensity of muscle
ABILITY TEST RESULTS, TOTAL PCr stored are restored in 2 minutes,
contraction and the rate at which ATP is
OR MEAN TIME SHOULD BE USED. 89% in 4 minutes, and 100% in
being used (37). The human muscle
8 minutes (19,22). Because the recov-
typically stores 20–25 mmol/kg dry
ery of power output maps the time
muscle of ATP, at a peak ATP turnover
course of PCr resynthesis (10,30,33)
INTRODUCTION rate of around 15 mmol/kg dry muscle
and is attenuated by creatine supple-
epeat sprint ability (RSA) per second, which is enough to fuel 1–2
Copyright Ó National Strength and Conditioning Association Strength and Conditioning Journal | www.nsca-scj.com 37
Repeat Sprint Ability
glycolysis is around 5–9 mmol/kg in the second half than those with the of a 30-second maximal sprint (28) or
dry muscle per second (17,23,24,28). highest concentrations (31). How- the first 5 seconds of a 3-minute intense
This system involves multiple enzy- ever, the significance of such loading bout (.120% V̇ O2max) (7), an ATP
matic reactions, so it is not as fast as may only become apparent as sprint turnover rate of 1.3 mmol ATP/kg
the PCr system, but the 2 combine frequency increases and rest periods dry muscle per second and 0.7 mmol
to maintain an ATP turnover rate of become long enough to again fully ATP/kg/s, respectively, was hypothe-
11–14 mmol/kg dry muscle per second engage anaerobic glycolysis. sized, both contributing around 10%
(11,17). The rapid onset of anaerobic of total energy produced. If sprints are
glycolysis with maximal work can be CAUSES OF FATIGUE repeated, the V̇ O2 of successive sprints
noted by studies that report high values The anaerobic conversion of pyru- will increase (17,35) if recovery periods
(.4 mmol) of lactate within 10 seconds vate yields lactate and H+, not always are not sufficient to resynthesize PCr,
(11,24). Surprisingly, values as high as lactic acid (the lactic acid molecule oxidize lactate, and remove accumu-
40 mmol/kg dry muscle (16) and 4 cannot exist at the physiological pH lated intracellular Pi (via adenosine
mmol/kg dry muscle (23) have been of 7); thus, despite the high correla- diphosphate phosphorylation). How-
recorded after just 6-second sprint tion, lactate is not the cause of fatigue ever, although V̇ O2 uptake may increase
cycling and 1.28 seconds of electrical (12). In fact, lactate can be used as an with successive sprints, the supply of
stimulation, respectively. energy substrate via gluconeogenesis ATP made by the aerobic system is sig-
With intramuscular stores of around 300 (formation of glucose from noncarbo- nificantly less than required for repeated
mmol/kg dry muscle (17), glycogen hydrate sources), where it is trans- sprints (17) and uses a lower ATP turn-
availability is not likely to majorly com- ported in the blood to the liver, over rate. As such, although this could
promise ATP provision during repeated referred to as the Cori cycle, or con- guard against a buildup of fatiguing
sprints (using protocols similar to current verted within the muscle fiber itself. It by-products (and sprint frequency/
investigations) (18). Instead, it may be is likely that H+ accumulation via lac- duration can be increased), it would
the progressive changes in metabolic tate formation decreases intracellular not be able to sustain power output
environment (as noted by the aforemen- pH and inhibits glycolytic enzymes (i.e., sprint performance).
tioned high lactate values, also see (such as phosphofructokinase) and RSA tested under hyperoxic (hypobaric
“Fatigue” section) that ultimately cause the binding of calcium to troponin chamber) (14,21) conditions or those
a reduction in ATP provision via this and thus muscle excitation-contrac- with enhanced oxygen availability (via
system. For example, Gaitanos et al. tion coupling (26). Glaister (18) sum- erythropoietin injection) (3) reports
(17), using 10 3 6-second sprints with marizes that fatigue may also be a superior results; the opposite is true
30-second rest periods, found that the consequence of a lack of ATP for for hypoxic conditions (4). The consen-
first sprint produced ATP using 50% actin-myosin coupling, NA+/K+ sus is that a greater quantity of PCr at
PCr and 44% glycolysis, whereas the pumping, and Ca2+ uptake by the sar- the start of each sprint would reduce the
tenth used 80% PCr and 16% glycolysis; coplasmic reticulum (SR). Also, intra- demand on anaerobic glycolysis (and
this was accompanied by a 27% loss in cellular Pi accumulation may interfere concomitant fatiguing by-products, e.g.,
power output, an 11.3 mmol/L increase with muscle function by inhibiting H+ and Pi) and enhance ATP turnover
in lactate, and a significant drop in ATP Ca2+ release from SR, control actin- (18). Glaister (18) concludes that the
production rate (Table 1). Of note, in myosin cross-bridge interactions, and key role of the aerobic system during
field-based team sports, glycogen- thereby regulate force production. repeated sprints is the return to homeo-
loading strategies are important in stasis during rest. The natural assump-
minimizing performance decrements AEROBIC METABOLISM tion is that aerobic endurance training,
(35). For example, in soccer, players This system contributes to ATP provi- by virtue of increasing V̇ O2max, will
with the lowest glycogen concentra- sion sooner than commonly believed. increase recovery rates and thus
tion at half time covered less distance For example, during the first 6 seconds improve RSA; this is discussed later.
Table 1
Estimates of ATP by Gaitanos et al. (17) after 10 3 6-second cycle sprints, with 30-second rest periods
ATP production (mmol/kg dry muscle) ATP production rate (mmol/kg dry muscle/s)
Logically, researchers are skeptical to lactate during rest periods. Whether this 7. Bangsbo J, Krustrup P, González-Alonso J,
conclude that V̇ O2max is not an impor- ability can be appreciably improved via and Saltin B. ATP production and efficiency
tant variable to RSA until protocols of a high V̇ O2max still remains controver- of human skeletal muscle during intense
exercise: Effect of previous exercise.
match duration are performed (13). sial. It is likely that sports that require Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 280:
repeated high-intensity efforts over E956–E964, 2001.
REPORTING RESULTS a prolonged period, in which athletes
8. Basset DR and Howley ET. Limiting factors
The method of data analysis for RSA are required to cover .40 meters per for maximum oxygen uptake and
testing is largely a question of 2 alter- interval and regularly produce efforts determinants of endurance performance.
natives: reporting total (or mean) sprint in excess of 6 seconds, would indeed Med Sci Sports Exerc 32: 70–84, 2000.
time for all sprints or the rate of fatigue benefit from training targeting its devel- 9. Billat VL, Sirvent P, Py G, Koralsztein JP,
(or performance drop-off). The latter opment. Based on the above, RSA (as and Mercier J. The concept of maximal
can be reported by 1 of 2 methods: tested by the studies presented) can be lactate steady state. Sport Med 33:
sprint decrement (Sdec) or the fatigue improved via anaerobic qualities such 406–426, 2003.
index (FI). The formula (Equations as strength, power, and speed, along 10. Bogdanis GC, Nevill ME, Boobis LH,
1 and 2) for each, according to Spencer with the athlete’s vOBLA; this is Lakomy HK, and Nevill AM. Recovery of
et al. (35), is listed below. Unlike the FI, regardless of the between-sport variabil- power output and muscle metabolites
the Sdec takes into account all sprints ity in RSA demands. When reporting following 30 s of maximal sprint cycling in
and is less influenced by a good or man. J Physiol 482: 467–480, 1995.
RSA test results, total or mean time
bad start or finish (35). should be used. 11. Boobis LH, Williams C, and Wooton SA.
Human muscle metabolism during brief
Sdec ð%Þ 5 ð½S1 þ S2 þ S3 Conflicts of Interest and Source of Funding: maximal exercise in man. J Physiol 338:
þ . þ Sfinal =S1 The authors report no conflicts of interest 21–22, 1982
3 number of sprints and no source of funding. 12. Brooks GA, Fahey TD, and Baldwin KM.
Exercise Physiology: Human
2 1 3 100 ð1Þ Bioenergetics and Its Applications (4th
ed). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Higher
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