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The contribution of vertical explosive strength to sprint performance in children

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the explosive strength ratio, which is the quotient between maximum height achieved after counter-movement jump with arm and maximum height achieved after standing start jump, and the 30-m sprint performance.

Method

Eighty-four children performed a series of 30-m sprints, Counter-movement jump with arm (arm-CMJ) and Starting Long Jump (SLJ) (with both legs) in randomized block order during the same testing session. Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficients (r) were used to determine the relationship between the explosive strength ratio and sprint performance. The coefficients of determination (R 2) were used to examine the amount of explained variance between tests. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to estimate the best predictor model of sprint performance.

Results

The correlation coefficient between explosive strength Ratio: arm-CMJ/SLJ, 10, and 30-m sprint time was moderate (r = 0.40 and 0.48 respectively). However, correlation with flying time 10 < 30-m sprint time (r = 0.52) was large. The Ratio: arm-CMJ/SLJ was the best single predictor factor (p < 0.001) of the flying time 10 < 30-m sprint time, and explained 27 % of the variance.

Conclusion

For improving sprint performance as well as maximal speed and flying time, coaches could ensure the explosive strength ratio as an index to calibrate sprint development program and also for enhancing sport speed in children. They will be able to use this finding to better test and monitor children’s athletes requiring different skills and to evaluate the effects of speed training in children.

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Acknowledgments

This study was not supported by any sources of funding.

Conflict of interest

There are no conflicts of interest in this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tunisian Research Laboratory “Sports Performance Optimization” National Center of Medicine and Science in Sport, Tunis, Tunisia

    Raouf Hammami, Issam Makhlouf, Mokhtar Chtara, Johnny Padulo & Anis Chaouachi

  2. University “eCampus” Novedrate, Novedrate, CO, Italy

    Johnny Padulo

Authors
  1. Raouf Hammami
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  2. Issam Makhlouf
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  3. Mokhtar Chtara
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  4. Johnny Padulo
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  5. Anis Chaouachi
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Correspondence to Johnny Padulo.

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Hammami, R., Makhlouf, I., Chtara, M. et al. The contribution of vertical explosive strength to sprint performance in children. Sport Sci Health 11, 37–42 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-014-0200-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-014-0200-2

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