Performance and physiological responses to repeated-sprint and jump sequences

In this study, the performance and selected physiological responses to team-sport specific repeated-sprint and jump sequence were investigated. On four occasions, 13 team-sport players (22 +/- 3 year) performed alternatively six repeated maximal straight-line or shuttle-sprints interspersed with a jump ([RS+j, 6 x 25 m] or [RSS+j, 6 x (2 x 12.5 m)]) or not ([RS, 6 x 25 m] or [RSS, 6 x (2 x 12.5 m)]) within each recovery period. Mean running time, rate of perceived exertion (RPE), pulmonary oxygen uptake (VO2), blood lactate ([La](b)), and vastus lateralis deoxygenation ([HHb]) were obtained for each condition. Mean sprint times were greater for RS+j versus RS (4.14 +/- 0.17 vs. 4.09 +/- 0.16 s, with the qualitative analysis revealing a 82% chance of RS+j times to be greater than RS) and for RSS+j versus RSS (5.43 +/- 0.18 vs. 5.29 +/- 0.17 s; 99% chance of RSS+j to be>RSS). The correlation between sprint and jump abilities were large-to-very-large, but below 0.71 for RSSs. Jumps increased RPE (Cohen's d +/- 90% CL: +0.7 +/- 0.5; 95% chance for RS+j>RS and +0.7 +/- 0.5; 96% for RSS+j>RSS), VO2 (+0.4 +/- 0.5; 80% for RS+j>RS and +0.5 +/- 0.5; 86% for RSS+j>RSS), [La](b) (+0.5 +/- 0.5; 59% for RS+ j>RS and +0.2 +/- 0.5; unclear for RSS+j>RSS), and [HHb] (+0.5 +/- 0.5; 86% for RS+j>RS and +0.5 +/- 0.5; 85% for RSS+j>RSS). To conclude, repeated-sprint and jump abilities could be considered as specific qualities. The addition of a jump within the recovery periods during repeated-sprint running sequences impairs sprinting performance and might be an effective training practice for eliciting both greater systemic and vastus lateralis physiological loads.