(34) DIFFERENCES IN SPRINT PROFILE FOLLOWING RESISTED SPRINT TRAINING IN YOUTH ICE HOCKEY PLAYERS

Purpose: This study explored the impact of resisted sprint training (RST) on the overground sprint profile (maximal force [F₀], power [P_max], velocity [V₀], maximal ratio of force [RF_max], decrease in ratio of force [D_RF], and force-velocity slope [S_FV]) of male youth ice hockey players.

Methods: Twenty-four competitive male youth ice hockey players participated in the study. Participants were separated into three equal groups (overground RST; on-ice RST; bodyweight training). Participants engaged in two sessions per week for a total of eight weeks. The bodyweight training program incorporated high velocity body weight exercises. The load for RST was provided by sleds loaded with weight plates. At baseline and post training, participants completed two 30-meter acceleration maximal overground sprints. A video recording of the sprint trials was obtained using a high-speed camera (iPad Air, Apple Inc., USA) at 240 fps, which was placed at the 15-meter mark recording the participant from the sagittal plane. The video file was then processed in the MySprint mobile application and corresponding spreadsheet to obtain measures of interest (F₀, P_max, V₀, RF_max, D_RF, S_FV). A repeated measures ANOVA with follow up analysis measured the differences in sprint profile variables across groups and time point.

Results: There was a group by time point interaction effect for F₀ (p=0.01; η²_p=0.37). Follow analyses indicated an increase in F₀ for the overground RST group (Cohen’s d=0.81; 95%CI [0.37,1.99]; p=0.01) and the on-ice RST (Cohen’s d=1.15; 95%CI [0.16,2.47]; p=0.01). There was a group by time point interaction effect for P<sub>max (p=0.01; η²_p=0.34). P<sub>max increased for the overground RST group (Cohen’s d=0.72; 95%CI [0.29,1.72]; p=0.01) and the on-ice RST group (Cohen’s d=1.15; 95%CI [0.01,2.31]; p=0.01). There was a group by time point interaction effect for RF_max (p=0.01; η²_p=0.35) with the on-ice RST (Cohen’s d=1.22; 95%CI [0.12,2.32]; p=0.01) and the overground RST (Cohen’s d=0.51; 95%CI [0.38,1.40]; p=0.01) both displaying increases. Lastly, there was a group by time point interaction effect for S_FV (p=0.02; η²_p=0.33) with both RST groups displaying a greater negative slope; overground RST (Cohen’s d=-0.70; 95%CI [-2.71,-0.67]; p=0.02) and on-ice RST (Cohen’s d=-1.08; 95%CI [-2.50,-0.42]; p=0.02).

Conclusion: RST groups increased in force, power, and RF_max. RST groups also displayed a greater negative S_FV. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Coaches may consider implementing RST into their training programs when aiming to increase overground sprint F₀, P<sub>max, RF_max and alter S_FV.

Acknowledgements: This abstract was derived from a study funded by the National Strength and Conditioning Association Foundation.