In previous posts, we discussed the importance of expressing strength rapidly for performance. Essentially, when two athletes are equal in size, stature and strength, the one who can express force faster for a given movement will generally be more successful on the playing field. This demonstrates the importance of specific analyses of movements (i.e., bar velocity) where general values (i.e., 1 RM) may be insufficient as the devil is in the details. Hypothetically, the same approach should be applied to sprinting speed. In a team of athletes who run a similar 40 yard dash, the split times at 10 yards may be the determining factor in which athlete should start. This is because the acceleration is often the most important aspect for team sports where linear sprints rarely occur without some type of deceleration or changes of direction.
In a recent study by Ferro et al. (2014) published in the Journal of Human Kinetics, 30 meter sprint times were laser timed among higher and lower level male soccer players (n = 42). The researches aimed to determine if sprinting speed differentiated higher and lower level players and if it could also differentiate players according to position. No significant differences in average velocity were found between higher and lower level players. However, higher level players reached a significantly greater maximum velocity in the 0-10 and 10-20m section. Among the higher competitive players, average velocity in the 0-10 m section differentiated players by position. The forwards were the fastest followed by the mid-fielders and defenders.
The results of this study indicate that a faster acceleration (0-20 m) is associated with a higher level of competitive play among male soccer players. This also reinforces the notion that the devil is in the details as it was the shorter distances that differentiated players, not captured when assessing the overall 30 m time. When assessing speed in athletes, a quality timing system capable of providing split times can be very useful in assessing players. The authors also stress the potential usefulness of using these split times for positioning players on the field. This also becomes a practical tool for influencing training prescription. Athletes who have slower 0-10 m times would benefit from acceleration training which can involve maximal strength work for the lower body, resisted sprint training, etc. However, if you’re not appropriately assessing, you’re just guessing.
Ferro, A., Villacieros, J., Floría, P., & Graupera, J. L. Analysis of Speed Performance In Soccer by a Playing Position and a Sports Level Using a Laser System. Journal of Human Kinetics, 44: 143-153.