The The Effect of an Off-Feet Conditioning Protocol on Performance and Training Load Response to Intermittent Sprint Training Compared to an Equivalent Running Based Protocol
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Clinical Trial
Abstract: Training for maximal intensity actions can lead to muscle damage, muscle soreness, and neuromuscular fatigue if not carefully managed. Due to this potential impact, coaches sometimes look to off-feet conditioning (OFC) as an alternative. A training intervention compared an OFC protocol using cycle ergometer sprints with an equivalent running protocol. Seventeen (17) participants volunteered and completed the study. Following baseline testing participants were divided into a cycle (BIKE) or shuttle (RUN) group. Training intervention was 10-12 6 s sprint efforts with 80-seconds recovery. Post testing showed significant time effect for absolute (p=0.045), and substantial change for Mean Power (p=0.0606) for BIKE. There was a significant time effect in the shuttle test (p=0.008) for RUN. Substantial, non-significant improvements in performance were found in 10 m (p=0.261) 20 m time (p=0.307) and Peak Power (p=0.160) for BIKE. RPE was significantly higher in BIKE (p<0.001). Next-day soreness was significantly higher for RUN (p<0.001). Neither intervention negatively affected any measure. The cycle protocol may benefit sprint running performance. This form of training may mitigate the impact of high volumes of run-based training by decreasing eccentric loading thus reducing soreness. OFC may be useful for maintaining performance without adding mechanical stress on the lower body.
Authors: Timothy Rogers, Ryan Connell, Jarrod Free, Nicholas Gill, Kim Hebert-Losier, Martyn Beaven
Institution: University of Waikato
Language: English
Subfield: Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
Funder: Australian Institute of Sport
OpenAlex ID: W4410637503