The use of various strength-power tests as predictors of sprint running performance

Aim. The aim of the present study was to assess the relationship between various strength-power tests and maximal running velocity parameters. Methods. Nine trained males were tested on four separate occasions. On the first occasion the maximum running velocity (MRV), stride rate (SR) and stride length (SL) were measured over 35 m. On the second occasion maximal vertical jumps (squat jump [Sj], standing broad jump [SBJ], counter movement jump [CMJ] and drop jumps [DJ] from heights of 30,50 and 80 cm) were performed on a force platform. On the third occasion the maximal bilateral isometric force (MBIF) of leg extensors and the force time characteristics (f-t 10-30 %, f-t 10-60 % and f-t 10-90%) were determined using a leg extension machine connected to a force plate. On the final fourth occasion peak anaerobic power was measured via repeated 6 sec maximum cycle sprints. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients were calculated for all the aformentioned parameters. Results. The correlation coefficients showed that MRV correlated significantly with f-t 10-60% and DJ 30 (r=-0.73 and r=0.73, P<0.05 respectively). In addition, SR and SL showed significant relationships with f-t 10-60% (r=-0.82, P<0.01 and r=0.75, P<0.05 respectively). Conclusion. The present findings suggest that the ability to produce force quickly, as measured by the time to achieve 60% of maximum voluntary contraction is related to sprinting performance, with the coefficient of determination accounting for 53% of the variance in the data. These data also show that sprinting ability is linked with DJ performance, especially the drop jump from a height of 30 cm. It is suggested that the above tests may prove useful in preparing and testing the sprinting ability and sprint specific strength levels.