Abstract des Autors

The energetics of repeated sprint efforts are poorly defined. To investigate this topic the performance of two separate groups of subjects on cycling (6 x 6 s maximal efforts, departing every 30 s) and running (6 x 40 m maximal efforts, departing every 30 s) repeated sprint ability (RSA) tests was correlated against performance measures of anaerobic power (cycling: work done in 10 s and Peak Power; running: 10 m and 40 m sprint time and vertical jump), anaerobic work capacity (cycling: work done in 30 s; running: 400 m sprint time) and aerobic power (VO2max). The absolute test scores for each RSA test (cycling: total work done in 6 efforts; running: total time taken for 6 efforts) were significantly correlated with all criterion energy system performance measures (p<0.01), but more strongly with anaerobic power (r=0.67-0.94) and work capacity (r=0.91) measures, rather than aerobic power (r=0.49-0.66). The cycling relative test score (%decrement over 6 efforts) was significantly correlated to anaerobic (r=0.60-0.68) (p<0.01) and aerobic (r=-0.55) (p<0.05) power measures, but not to anaerobic work capacity. The running %decrement score was only significantly correlated with VO2max (r=-0.62) (p<0.01). Therefore, while RSA seems to be dependent to some degree on the level of each of anaerobic power and work capacity and aerobic power, the degree of association differs when the RSA test performance is measured in absolute or relative terms. The results suggest that the power of the anaerobic energy systems are major determinants of the total work or time RSA scores and hence repeated power or speed. The aerobic energy system is more closely associated with the RSA %decrement score and hence overall fatigue and recovery between sprints. Some implications for the training of RSA are also discussed. Verf.-Referat