Abstract

Purpose was to determine the effects of regular sprint training overspeed training, and combined overspeed and overload training on the sprinting speed of college male athletes. Eighteen male varsity football players were divided into three groups of six subjects per group. The control group (C) participated in sprint training free of any external loading; a second group (OS) participated in overspeed two training using a Sprint Master towing device; and the third group (OSW) participated in overspeed two training while wearing a ten-pound weight vest. The subjects were timed for a maximal 40-meter sprint, as well as being filmed while sprinting at maximum speed both before and after the six-week training program. The 40 m sprint time, as well as the most important kinematic variables in sprinting were calculated for each subject. Only 7 of the 20 kinematic variables measured in this study were significantly different from pre test to post test in one of the groups. The results of the ANCOVA indicated that there were significant differences between post-test means for the three groups for eight of the variables, but the least squares means test failed to produce significant between group differences for all of these. Sprinting speed can be improved by a six week program of sprint training including conventional sprint exercises and overspeed tow training. There were no significant increases in sprinting speed or technique resulting from the specific overspeed training regime used in this study, compared to other methods. Verf.-Ref.