APPLICATIONS

SPRINT

LITE devices provide a variety of stimuli that can improve sprint training, a key quality in most sports (Lockie, Murphy, & Spinks, 2003).

The LITE most sprint-specific device is AIRSPEED as it allows the execution of counter-resistance sprints and requires the athlete to apply horizontal forces, resulting in the adoption of working angles that biomechanically simulate those applied during the acceleration phase. This aspect is particularly effective for improving the first phase of the sprint (Morin and Samozino 2016).

Some studies show that generally to improve sprinting power and speed through resistance training, the optimal external loads to be used must correspond to about 8-13% of the athlete’s body weight. Therefore, a person weighing 70kg is desirable to sprint with AER setting a resistance of 6-8kg, (Nitychoruk, M., & Maszczyk, A.). However, when possible, greater individualization of resistance based on the athlete’s profile is suggested to be an even more effective approach. In fact, a recent study indicated that athletes with a strength/speed curve more favorable to strength, could benefit from sprints against even greater resistance than those indicated above (capable of decreasing sprint performance by up to 50%) and vice versa (Cross et al., 2018).

DISCOVER AIRSPEED

The pneumatic resistance offered by AIRSPEED is produced in both phases of the movement with a 1: 1 ratio and therefore can also be used for the execution of assisted sprints. The latter concern a form of training used to go beyond the speed-strength continuum, since they make the body lighter and thus allow it to move faster. This training method (usually performed by sprinters) has been dubbed “overspeed” or “assisted sprinting” and challenges athletes to maintain technique with shorter ground contact time, leading them to greater movement management domain (Ozolin , 1949; Kratky & Müller, 2013). This methodology, applicable through the use of AIRSPEED, can represent an additional ally for sprint training. There are still no detailed recommendations on optimal resistance for this type of training.

Among the LITE technologies, AIRSPEED represents the most specific training option for sprints. However, POWERUP and INERTIA can also be fundamental for the development of this athletic quality.

Specifically, the use of landmine, such as POWERUP, allows the development of strength and power with a vector not perpendicular to the ground, making it a tool to exercise against resistance moving under more specific angles for sprinting than moving free weights (Collins et al., 2021) .

In addition, the use of isoinertial flywheel technology (INERTIA) for sprinting can bring advantages as it allows you to perform a greater number of maximum repetitions within the same set. This aspect is fundamental for improving the output during movements that require maximum explosiveness such as acceleration. However, when using INERTIA for sprint development, it is important to focus on exercise selection. For example, an umbrella review reported that performing exercises such as isoinertial flywheel squats lead to conflicting results on sprint development (de Keijzer, Gonzalez, & Beato, 2022) while the weekly or bi-weekly insertion of isoinertial exercises of a ” hip-dominant ”has led to substantial improvements (Allen, De Keijzer, Raya-González, Castillo, Coratella & Beato, 2021) and should therefore be preferred.

CONSULT BIBLIOGRAPHY

Allen, W. J., De Keijzer, K. L., Raya-González, J., Castillo, D., Coratella, G., & Beato, M. (2021). Chronic effects of flywheel training on physical capacities in soccer players: a systematic review. Research in Sports Medicine, 1-21

Collins, K. S., Klawitter, L. A., Waldera, R. W., Mahoney, S. J., & Christensen, B. K. (2021). Differences in Muscle Activity and Kinetics Between the Goblet Squat and Landmine Squat in Men and Women. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 35(10), 2661-2668.

Cross, M. R., Lahti, J., Brown, S. R., Chedati, M., Jimenez-Reyes, P., Samozino, P., … & Morin, J. B. (2018). Training at maximal power in resisted sprinting: Optimal load determination methodology and pilot results in team sport athletes. PLoS One, 13(4), e0195477.

de Keijzer, K. L., Gonzalez, J. R., & Beato, M. (2022). The effect of flywheel training on strength and physical capacities in sporting and healthy populations: An umbrella review. PloS one, 17(2), e0264375.

Kratky, S., & Müller, E. (2013). Sprint running with a body-weight supporting kite reduces ground contact time in well-trained sprinters. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 27(5), 1215-1222.

Lockie, R. G., Murphy, A. J., & Spinks, C. D. (2003). Effects of resisted sled towing on sprint kinematics in field-sport athletes. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 17(4), 760-767.

Nitychoruk, M., & Maszczyk, A. Optimizing the load for peak power and peak velocity development during resisted sprinting.

Ozolin, N. G. (1949). Fundamentals of Special Strength-Training in Sport. Moscow: Fizkultura I Sport.