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Repeated-Sprint Performance in Team Sport

Players: Associations with Measures of Aerobic
Fitness, Metabolic Control and Locomotor
Function

ARTICLE in INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SPORTS MEDICINE · MARCH 2012

Impact Factor: 2.37 · DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1291364 · Source: PubMed

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230 Training & Testing

Repeated-Sprint Performance in Team Sport Players:

Associations with Measures of Aerobic Fitness,
Metabolic Control and Locomotor Function

Author M. Buchheit1,2,3
1
Affiliations Physiology Unit, Sport Science Department, Aspire, Academy for Sports Excellence, Doha, Qatar
2
Laboratory of Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Picardie, Jules Verne, France
3
Sport Development and Analysis , Myorobie Association , Montvalezan , France

Key words Abstract 0.59)) and moderately correlated with V̇ O2max

●
▶ peak sprinting speed ▼ (r= − 0.58;90 %CL(− 0.70; − 0.43)); the correla-
●
▶ maximal oxygen uptake
To examine the respective associations between tions with V̇ O2τon or V̇ O2τoff were unclear.
●
▶ peak incremental test speed
indices of aerobic fitness, metabolic control and For %Dec, the correlations with Inc. test speed,
●
▶ oxygen uptake kinetics
locomotor function and repeated sprint-per- V̇ O2max and V̇ O2τon were moderate (r = − 0.41;
●
▶ handball

●
▶ soccer formance, 61 team sport players performed: a
repeated-sprint sequence (RSS), an incremental
test to exhaustion to determine maximal oxy-
gen uptake (V̇ O2max) and peak incremental test
speed (Inc. test speed), and 2–4 submaximal runs
to determine the time constant of the primary
phase of V̇ O2 kinetics at exercise onset (V̇ O2τon)
and cessation (V̇ O2τoff). The best (RSbest) sprint
times and mean sprint times (RSmean) and the
percent sprint decrement (%Dec) were calculated.
RSmean was almost perfectly correlated with RSbest
(r = 0.92;90 %CL(0.88;0.95)), largely correlated
with Inc. test speed (r = −0.71;90 %CL(− 0.79; −
90 %CL(− 0.56; − 0.23)), small (r = − 0.26;90 %CL
(− 0.43; − 0.06)) and small (r = 0.28;90 %CL
(0.09;0.46)), respectively. Stepwise multiple
regression analyses showed that the only sig-
nificant predictors of RSmean were RSbest and Inc.
test speed (r2 = 0.88). Inc. test speed and RSbest
were also the only significant predictors of %Dec
(r2 = 0.26). Present results obtained in a large
sample of team sport players highlight that loco-
motor factors (i. e., RSbest and Inc. test speed)
show much larger associations with repeated-
sprint performance than V̇ O2max and V̇ O2
kinetics.

accepted after revision
October 11, 2011
Bibliography
DOI http://dx.doi.org/
10.1055/s-0031-1291364
Published online:
January 30, 2012
Int J Sports Med 2012; 33:
230–239 © Georg Thieme
Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York
ISSN 0172-4622
Correspondence
Martin Buchheit
Physiology Unit
Sport Science Department
ASPIRE
Academy for Sports Excellence
P.O. Box 22287, Doha
Qatar
Tel.: (+974)/4413/6103
Fax: (+974)/4413/6060
martin.buchheit@aspire.qa
mb@martin-bucheit.net
Introduction
▼ bolic- (involved in the ability to repeat sprints,
During the most intense periods of a game, play-
ers are often required to repeat high-intensity
efforts and/or sprints for a couple of minutes
[42]. Whether physical capacities such as
repeated-sprint performance can actually impact
match running performance [49] is still debated
[17, 37]; however, there is no doubt that the abil-
ity to repeat high-intensity efforts is an impor-
tant fitness component for team-sport athletes
[26, 53]. While the occurrence of repeated-sprint
sequences is likely team sport- [18, 56] and play-
ing position-dependent [18], understanding the
physiological determinants of repeated-sprint
performance is important for the design of opti-
mal training strategies for high-standard team
sport players.
From a physiological view point, repeated-sprint
performance is a complex quality believed to be
related to both neuromuscular- (determining
maximal sprint speed, e. g., neural drive, motor
unit activation or muscle strength) and meta-
e. g., oxidative capacity for phosphocreatine (PCr)
recovery, lactate-H+ buffering or Na+/K+ transport
capacity) related factors [26]. Furthermore, while
repeated-sprint performance (i. e., mean
repeated-sprint time) is generally largely corre-
lated with maximal sprinting capacity
[38, 48, 57], repeated-sprint ability (i. e., percent-
age of speed decrement, or fatigue index) is more
likely associated with maximal oxygen uptake
(V̇ O2max) (for review see [27]) or indices of met-
abolic control (i. e., V̇ O2 kinetics) [24, 25, 51].
While the importance of V̇ O2max for repeated-
sprint performance has been extensively docu-
mented (for review see [26]), there is limited
research on V̇ O2 kinetics and repeated-sprint
performance in team sport players. In the few
studies to date in soccer players, an association
between repeated-sprint ability and V̇ O2 kinetics
both at exercise onset [25, 51] and cessation [24]
was observed (i. e., the shorter the V̇ O2 time con-

Buchheit M. Repeated-Sprint Performance in Team Sports … Int J Sports Med 2012; 33: 230–239

stants, the better the repeated-sprint ability). It has been pro-
posed that faster V̇ O2 kinetics at exercise onset may reduce the
O2 deficit. This likely prevents excessive local peripheral physi-
ological disturbance (as shown by less accumulation of fatigue-
related metabolites, such as H+ and Pi), thereby sparing anaerobic
capacity, in turn allowing for the maintenance of sprint power
output during subsequent interval bouts [32]. Additionally,
rapid V̇ O2 off-kinetics appear related to faster post-sprint
replenishment of muscle O2 and PCr stores [3], which likely
improves successive sprint performance [26].
In the aforementioned studies however [24, 25, 51], the correla-
tions between V̇ O2 kinetics and repeated-sprint ability were
observed in adult soccer players only. Whether these findings
can be generalized to other team sport players over a wide range
of age or training status is still unknown. More importantly, in
these studies, the respective importance of locomotor abilities
(e. g., sprinting qualities), V̇ O2max and V̇ O2 kinetics could not be
determined. Additionally, the impact of maximal aerobic speed
(or at least peak incremental test speed) on repeated-sprint per-
formance was not included in the latter analyses. This is surpris-
ing, since peak incremental test speed generally shows greater
association with running performance than V̇ O2max [45] (i. e., it
integrates the locomotor aspect of maximal aerobic function).
Recent data on highly-trained young soccer players [39] also
suggest that in this specific population, probably as a result of
the selection process, a large correlation exists between sprint-
ing speed and maximal aerobic function (to which, in gen-
eral, V̇ O2 kinetics are related). Therefore, the associations
observed between repeated-sprint ability and V̇ O2 kinetics
[24, 25, 51] may not reflect a cause to effect mechanism. They
could be related to the particular fitness profile of soccer players.
In support of this latter hypothesis, we could not find any rela-
tionship between repeated-sprint ability and V̇ O2 kinetics in a
homogeneous group of moderately-trained cyclists, who likely
present with different physical fitness characteristics compared
with soccer players [7].
The aim of the present study was therefore to examine the
respective impact of selected measures of aerobic fitness
(V̇ O2max), metabolic control (V̇ O2 kinetics at exercise onset and
cessation) and locomotor function (i. e., sprinting and peak
incremental test speeds) on repeated sprint-performance and
repeated-sprint ability in a wide range of team sport players. We
specifically examined data from different team sport players,
obtained with different test protocols, to examine whether the
possible associations between the aforementioned variables are
population- and/or test protocol-dependent. Additionally, since
repeated-sprint ability is likely a general quality (i. e., players are
Table 1 Description of the tests performed by each team sport group.
Group Incremental test Submaximal run
intensity (% Incre-
mental test speed)
youth soccer Ramp motorized treadmill (0 % grade) 50
elite handball 30-15IFT 45
team sport 1a Ramp motorized treadmill (1 % grade) 60
team sport 1b
team sport 2 30-15IFT 65
team sport 3 30-15IFT 45
Note that players from the team sport 1 group performed 2 different RSS protocols; their data were therefore analyzed twice (i. e., team sport 1a and team sport 1b).
30-15IFT: 30-15 Intermittent Fitness test. RSS: repeated-sprint sequence. Data in brackets for RSS stand for between-sprint recovery duration and recovery intensity
Buchheit M. Repeated-Sprint Performance in Team Sports … Int J Sports Med 2012; 33: 230–239
Training & Testing 231
ranked similarly despite different test protocols [6, 9]), we also
wished to analyse data from all groups pooled together; this
increases sample size, statistical power and allows the use of
multiple regression analyses. We expected that peak sprint per-
formance would be the strongest predictor of repeated-sprint
performance (i. e., mean repeated-sprint time), but that meta-
bolic-related measures (i. e., V̇ O2max and V̇ O2p kinetics) would
explain a large proportion of repeated-sprint ability (i. e., speed
decrement index).
Method
▼
Participants
In addition to original data collected for the purpose of the
present study (youth soccer and elite handball teams, see
below), data from 3 published studies were analysed (team
sport 1, 2 and 3, ● ▶ Table 1). These studies were published as
original scientific publications, with the aim of describing perform-
ance and physiological responses to repeated-sprint sequences
(RSS) [10], post-RSS parasympathetic reactivation [12] and the
effect of prior RSS on V̇ O2 kinetics at exercise onset [13]. Impor-
tantly, there is no overlap between the data already published
and these presented in the present manuscript (e. g., V̇ O2 kinet-
ics data were only provided in one of the studies [13], but the
associations with repeated-sprint performance were not
included). Finally, data from 61 team sport players were included
in this study (● ▶ Table 1). 10 players were selected from a youth
male soccer team from an elite sport academy (i. e., youth soccer
group, ● ▶ Table 1) and 14 from an elite adult male handball team
(French first league, elite handball group). The pubertal status of
the young soccer players, estimated from anthropometric meas-
ures as described by Mirwald [41], was 0.2 ± 0.4 years from age at
peak height velocity. The remaining 37 adult participants were
playing handball, basketball, soccer or futsal at regional to
national levels (5–9 h per week) and formed the team sport 1,
team sport 2 and team sport 3 groups (● ▶ Table 1). Despite differ-
ent recruitment strategies being employed in each of the 3 stud-
ies [10, 12, 13], player type distribution was similar within each
group. Goalkeepers were not included in the study. All players
were provided with the procedures and risks associated with
participation in the study and gave their written informed con-
sent prior to participation. The study was approved by the Uni-
versity’s Human Research Ethics Committee, performed in
accordance with the ethical standards of the IJSM [29] and con-
formed to the Declaration of Helsinki.
Number of RSS
submaximal
Protocol Location
runs
2 (same day) 10 × 30 m (30"; 1.8 m.s -1 ) indoor track
2 (same day) 6 × 2 × 15 m (20"; passive) indoor track
2 (separate days) 6 × 16 m (25"; passive) non-motorized treadmill
6 × 16 m (25”; 2.0 m.s − 1) non-motorized treadmill
2 (same day) 20 × 15 m (20"; passive) indoor track
4 (separate days) 6 × 25 m (25"; 2.0 m.s − 1 ) indoor track
232 Training & Testing
Study overview
All players were familiarized with all testing procedures before
the start of the experimentations. Within less than a week, all
players performed 1 (all groups except team sport 1) or 2 differ-
ent (team sport 1) RSS, an incremental running test to exhaus-
tion to determine V̇ O2max and peak incremental test speed (Inc.
test speed), and 2–4 submaximal runs to determine the time
constant of the primary component of V̇ O2 kinetics at exercise
onset (V̇ O2τon) and cessation (V̇ O2τoff). The detail of the testing
protocols for each group is provided in ● ▶ Table 1. All tests were
performed indoor under controlled conditions, i. e., temperature
ranging between 18 and 22 ℃ with 40–50 % relative humidity.
Depending on the player group, tests were performed either on
an indoor synthetic track or a non-motorized treadmill for RSS,
on an indoor synthetic track or a motorized treadmill for incre-
mental tests and submaximal runs (● ▶ Table 1). Players were
instructed not to perform strenuous exercise on the day prior to
each test and to consume their last meal at least 3 h before the
scheduled test time.
Incremental running tests
For the youth soccer group, the maximal graded exercise test
was performed on a motorized treadmill (Woodway PPS Med,
Woodway, Waukesha, WI, USA). The test began at an initial
speed of 10 km.h − 1 (1 % grade) and was increased by 1 km.h − 1
every minute until the player stopped due to volitional exhaus-
tion. For the team sport 1 group, the maximal graded exercise
test was performed on a motorized treadmill (Trackmaster
TM500E, JAS Manufacturing; Carrollton, Texas, USA). The test
began at an initial speed of 10 km.h − 1 (1 % grade) and speed was
increased by 0.5 km. km.h − 1 every minute until fatigue. If the last
stage was not fully completed, the peak treadmill speed was cal-
culated using the following formula: Inc. test speed = S + (t/60 × 0.5
or 1 for youth soccer and team sport 1, respectively), where S
was the last completed speed in km.h − 1 and t the time in sec-
onds of the uncompleted stage. The typical within-subject vari-
ation in peak treadmill speed from incremental test to
incremental test is reported to be 2.5 % [52]. The 3 other groups
(i. e., elite handball and team sport 2 and 3) performed a field-
based incremental test, i. e., the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test
(30-15IFT). This intermittent shuttle field test elicits similar max-
imal levels of V̇ O2 compared with a standard, continuous incre-
mental test [i. e., r = 0.71; 95 % confidence interval (CI) for mean
difference, 1.0–3.5 ml.min − 1.kg − 1] [8]. Elicitation of the final
running speed during this test has also been shown to be reliable
[intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.96; CV = 1.8 % (95 % CI, 1.3–
2.2)] [5]. Briefly, the 30-15IFT consisted of 30-s shuttle- (40 m)
runs interspersed with 15-s passive recovery periods. The initial
running velocity was set at 8 km.h − 1 for the first 30-s stage and
speed was increased by 0.5 km.h − 1 every 30-s stage thereafter.
Running pace was governed by a prerecorded beep. Players were
instructed to complete as many stages as possible, and the test
ended when the subject could no longer maintain the required
running speed (i. e., when players were unable to reach a 3-m
zone near each marked line the moment the audio signalled on
3 consecutive occasions). The speed at the last completed stage
was recorded (Inc. test speed). While players’ maximal aerobic
speed (MAS) could be obtained from the incremental treadmill
tests (as the lowest speed eliciting V̇ O2max), that was not pos-
sible during the 30-15IFT because of the intermittent nature of
the test. The speed reached at the end of the 30-15IFT is however
very-largely correlated with the MAS and peak incremental
Buchheit M. Repeated-Sprint Performance in Team Sports … Int J Sports Med 2012; 33: 230–239
speed as measured during a continuous incremental test [8].
Therefore, for consistency, we used the final speed reached at
the end of all incremental tests (i. e., Inc test speed), and not
MAS, as an integrated locomotor quality reflecting maximal car-
diorespiratory function.
Submaximal runs
All players repeated at least 2 submaximal runs as a part of the
pre-sessions warm-up. ● ▶ Table 1 shows whether these tests
were performed consecutively on the same day (with a 10-min
recovery period), or on separate days. Exercise intensity for the
submaximal runs was set at 50–60 % of the Inc. test speed
reached during the incremental treadmill tests (youth soccer
and team sport 1) or 45–65 % of the Inc. test speed reached dur-
ing the 30-15IFT (elite handball, team sport 2 and 3). These inten-
sities were chosen to ensure that the players obtained a V̇ O2
corresponding to that observed around the lactate threshold [8].
While a higher running intensity could have a greater internal
validity with regard to the RSS protocols, this intensity is well
suited to determine the V̇ O2p kinetics in the moderate-intensity
domain [58] and allowed for comparisons with previous studies
examining the relationship between V̇ O2p on-
kinetics and repeated-sprint performance [7, 25, 51]. In the field,
an audio time countdown was given to the players 3 s before the
commencement of the test. Running pace was governed by a
prerecorded beep that sounded at appropriate intervals to allow
participants to adjust their running speed as they passed
through specific zones of the field (i. e., a cone placed every
20 m). Particular attention was focused on ensuring that the
subject reached the required running speed within at least 5 s
[participants had to be near an additional cone, placed 10–12 m
(depending on their running speed) from the starting line; i. e.,
within 5 ± 1 s]. If adjustment to the required running speed was
not satisfactory (i. e., players passed a cone outside of a 1-s dif-
ference compared with expected time), the test was stopped,
and the subject was asked to recommence the test after a 5-min
period of passive recovery. At the end of the submaximal run,
players (except the youth soccer group) stopped within 3 s, and
immediately sat on a chair for 6 min.
Repeated-sprint sequences
All RSS were preceded by a supervised and standardized warm-
up consisting of 1 or 2 submaximal runs as described above,
3 min of athletic drills (e. g., skipping, high knee runs), 5 short
bursts of progressive accelerations on the track, and 2 maximal
sprints (see ●▶ Table 1 for group-specific distance) interspersed
by 2 min of passive recovery. The RSS began 2 min after the last
maximal sprint. The best maximal single sprint time was used
as the players’ reference performance. Sprinting time was meas-
ured with an accuracy of 0.01 s (Wireless Timing-Radio Control-
led, Brower Timing System, Colorado, USA,). The number of
sprints, sprinting distance, recovery duration and intensity dif-
fered for most groups (● ▶ Table 1). 3 s prior to the commence-
ment of each sprint, players were asked to assume the ready
position and await the start signal. For RSS including active
recovery, an audio feedback (i. e., time countdown) was given to
the players so that they maintained the required running speed.
Participants were instructed to complete all sprints as fast as
possible, and strong verbal encouragement was provided to each
subject during all sprints. These RSS were adapted from previ-
ous sprint running tests [31, 55] which have been shown to be
reliable (CV = 0.7 %, 95 % CI [0.5–1.2] for total straight-line sprints

time [55] or CV = 0.8 %, 90 % CI [0.6–1.0] for mean shuttle-sprints
time [31]) and to provide valid estimates of RSA in the field [31].
3 scores were calculated for the RSA tests: the best sprint time
(RSbest; s), the mean sprint time (RSmean; s) and the percent
sprint decrement ( %Dec; %), calculated as follows: (mean time/
best time × 100) − 100 [55].
Cardiorespiratory measures
Respiratory gas exchange and heart rate were measured during
the incremental and submaxinal running tests using automated
systems: Oxycon Pro metabolic cart (Carefusion GmbH, Hoech-
berg, Germany [21]) for youth soccer, VO2000 (Medgraphics, St.
Paul, MN [36]) for elite handball and team sport 2, CPX (Med-
graphics Gas Analysis System; St. Paul, MN [28]) for team sport
1, and K4b2 (Cosmed, Rome, Italy, [35]) for team sport 3. Before
each test, the O2 and CO2 analysis systems were calibrated as
recommended by the manufacturers. Since the validity of the
usual criteria for establishing V̇ O2max during ramp exercise
tests has been questioned [46], V̇ O2max was defined as the
highest V̇ O2 values attained in a 30-s epoch. An inability to
maintain the required running speed, high values for blood lac-
tate (> 8 mmol.l − 1) and rate of perceived exertion (> 7 on the
CR-10 Borg scale or > 15 on the 6–20 scale) were also required to
confirm the maximal nature of the test. Additionally, we were
confident in the maximal nature of the tests, since all players
were highly motivated and performed until voluntary exhaus-
tion. The peak heart rate (HR, 5-s average) reached during the
incremental test was retained as maximal HR (HRmax).
Blood lactate measurement
3 min after the end of all incremental tests, a fingertip blood
sample (5 μL) was collected and blood lactate concentration was
determined with a Lactate Pro analyzer (Arkray Inc, Kyoto,
Japan). The analyzer was calibrated with supplied standards
prior to each test. The suitability and reproducibility of this ana-
lyzer has been previously established throughout the physiolog-
ical range of 1.0–18.0 mmol.l − 1[47].
Data Analysis
▼ tion- and/or test protocol-dependent. Therefore, actual data
Assessment of oxygen uptake kinetics
Because of the high variability between breaths, increasing the
number of exercise transitions in the same exercise protocol is a
common practice used to increase the signal-to-noise ratio [58].
In the present study, players performed 2 (youth soccer, elite
handball, team sport 1 and 2) to 4 (team sport 3) transitions,
which is similar to previous studies investigating the relation-
ship between V̇ O2 kinetics and repeated-sprint performance
[7, 24, 25, 51]. V̇ O2 recorded during submaximal exercise bouts
were automatically filtered for aberrant data points, interpo-
lated to 1-s intervals, time-synchronized and ensemble-aver-
aged to yield a single response for each subject. V̇ O2 on-transient
kinetics were modelled using an iterative technique (Sigmaplot
10, SPSS Science; Chicago, IL, USA) using either a mono- (Eq. 1)
or a bi-exponential function (Eq. 2):
V̇ O2 (t) = V̇ O2 + Ampl × [1 − e−(t − TD /V˙ O2τon)] ×U1 (1)
V̇ O2 (t) = V̇ O2 + Ampl × [1 − e−(t − TD /V˙ O2τon)] × U1
+ Ampl2 × [1 − e−(t − TD2 /V˙ O2τ2on)] ×U2 (2)
Buchheit M. Repeated-Sprint Performance in Team Sports … Int J Sports Med 2012; 33: 230–239
Training & Testing 233
where U1 = 0, when time (t) is less than the time delay 1 (TD)
from the onset of exercise; U1 = 1, for t ≥ TD; U2 = 0, for t < TD2 and
U2 = 1, for t ≥ TD2; V̇ O2 is the V̇ O2 prior to the onset of the rest-to-
exercise transition (l), Ampl and Ampl 2 are the asymptotic
amplitudes for the first and second exponential terms (l), respec-
tively; V̇ O2τon and V̇ O2τ2on are the time constants of each expo-
nential (s); and TD and TD2 represent the time delays of each
equation (s). Since the phase 1–phase 2 transition occurred ≈ 15–20
s after exercise onset in all participants (visual examination), the
initial cardiodynamic component was excluded by deleting the
first 20 s of data; the primary component parameters were not
distorted by any early cardiodynamic influence [58]. A bi-expo-
nential model was used when a significant gain of variance was
found for the fit between modelled and measured V̇ O2 data in
comparison with a mono-exponential model. However, for com-
parison with the literature [7, 25, 51], data from the first expo-
nential only were retained for analysis.
Similarly, V̇ O2 off-transient kinetics were modelled using a
mono-exponential function (Eq. 3) [43].
V̇ O2 (t) = V̇ O2 end exercise − Ampl × [1 − e− (t − TD /V˙ Oτ2off)] × U1 (3)
where U1 = 0, when time (t) is less than the time delay (TD, s)
from the end of exercise; U1 = 1, for t ≥ TD; V̇ O2 end exercise is the
average V̇ O2 during the 60 s period prior to the onset of the exer-
cise-to-rest transition (l), Ampl is the asymptotic amplitude for
the exponential term (l); V̇ O2τoff is the time constant of the expo-
nential (s).
Statistical analysis
Analyses were carried out using SPSS 19 (SPSS Inc, Chicago, USA)
software and data are presented as means and standard devia-
tions (SD). The distribution of each variable was examined with
the Shapiro-Wilk normality test. Homogeneity of variance was
verified by a Levene test. While between-group comparisons of
actual/absolute test measures is inappropriate given the differ-
ences in protocols (● ▶ Table 1), comparing the within-group cor-
relations between RSmean, RSbest, %Dec, V̇ O2 max, Inc. test speed
and V̇ O2 kinetics is important to examine whether the possible
associations between the aforementioned variables are popula-
were first analyzed for each group separately. Then, to examine
the overall associations between all variables considered as gen-
eral qualities (i. e., players being ranked similarly for each test,
irrespective of the protocol), data were analyzed for all players
pooled together. For this latter analysis however, individual
measures of repeated-sprint performance, Inc. test speed, V̇ O2max
and V̇ O2 kinetics were expressed as a percentage of each group
mean. This data transformation overcame the limitations inher-
ent to the different test protocols, and enabled an accurate
examination of the relationships between the variables for all
players pooled together. More precisely, if 1) repeated-sprint
ability was to exist as a general quality, and 2) the association
between repeated-sprint ability and peak incremental test
speed for example was to be protocol independent, a large cor-
relation should be evident within each group between absolute
data, but also between individual values expressed as a function
of each group mean. Therefore, a correlation should also be evi-
dent when the relative data ( % of the group mean) obtained
from all groups are merged together. For correlations analyses,
Pearson’s correlation coefficients were calculated to establish
the respective relationships between RSmean, RSbest, %Dec, V̇ O2
234 Training & Testing

Mean values ( ± SD) for anthropometric variables, peak incremental test speed, peak oxygen uptake ( V̇ O2max ) and peak heart rate (HRmax), blood lactate concentration ([La]b) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) measured during and after the incre-
max, Inc. test speed and V̇ O2 kinetics. Because performance at
the first sprint is a major determinant of fatigue during RS [26],
correlations were further adjusted for RSbest using partial correla-
18 ± 2(2)
18 ± 1(2)
18 ± 1(2)
tions. Finally, multiple linear regression models (stepwise back-

9 ± 1(1)
9 ± 1(1)
RPE*

ward elimination procedure) with RSmean and % Dec as the

dependent variables were also used. In the backward procedure,
variables with F value < 4 were removed from the model. The
12.5 ± 4.0
12.2 ± 1.2
11.6 ± 2.0
11.1 ± 1.8 magnitude of correlation (r (90 % confidence limits)) between test
9.7 ± 2.6

measures were assessed with the following thresholds: < 0.1, triv-
[La]b

ial; < 0.1–0.3, small; < 0.3–0.5, moderate; < 0.5–0.7, large; < 0.7–
0.9, very large; and < 0.9–1.0, almost perfect. If the 90 % confidence
intervals overlapped small positive and negative values, the mag-
(beat.min-1)

nitude was deemed unclear; otherwise the magnitude was

203 ± 7
192 ± 7
191 ± 8
186 ± 8
184 ± 8
HRmax

deemed to be the observed magnitude [30].

▶ Table 1). (a): treadmill ramp; (b): 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test. (1): CR-10 Borg scale; (2): 6–20 scale
(ml.min-1.kg-1)

Results
▼
56.2 ± 3.1
53.9 ± 9.2
55.1 ± 8.2
51.6 ± 5.4
53.0 ± 7.5
V̇ O2max

Physical test performance

Incremental test results are provided in ● ▶ Table 2. RS
best times
during all RSS were within less than 1 % of the reference per-
formances undertaken before the tests. Repeated-sprints meas-
Incremental test
speed (km.h-1)

ures were as follow: youth soccer (RSbest: 4.70 ± 0.21 s; RSmean:

19.2 ± 1.3(b)

18.9 ± 1.0(b)
19.6 ± 0.7(b)
16.0 ± 1.0(a)

15.4 ± 2.0(a)

4.83 ± 0.20 s; % Dec: 2.69 ± 0.86 %), elite handball (5.73 ± 0.27 s;
5.90 ± 0.27 s; 2.84 ± 0.92 %), team sport 1a (3.93 ± 0.25 s; 4.26 ± 0.38 s;
8.35 ± 4.81 %), team sport 1b (3.80 ± 0.28 s; 3.93 ± 0.32 s; 3.42 ± 1.46 %),
team sport 2 (2.56 ± 0.10 s; 2.72 ± 0.08 s; 6.22 ± 2.97 %), team sport 3
(3.96 ± 0.15 s; 4.09 ± 0.17 s; 3.18 ± 1.30 %).

Pulmonary oxygen kinetics

volume (h)

14.5 ± 2.2
14.0 ± 1.0
Training

6.7 ± 2.6
7.6 ± 2.9
5.0 ± 3.2

Parameters for V̇ O2p kinetics for each group are presented

in ●▶ Table 3. Coefficients of determination (0.95–0.99) obtained

between actual V̇ O2 and modelled responses were significant

(P < 0.001) for all models used to characterize the V̇ O2 kinetics.
regional/national

Depending on the group considered, the 95 % confidence inter-

Competitive

first league

val for both V̇ O2τon and V̇ O2τoff ranged from 2 to 5 %.

regional
national

national
level

Relationships between maximal oxygen uptake,

pulmonary oxygen kinetics, best sprint time and
mental test. Note that different incremental test protocols and RPE scales were used (see ●

repeated-sprint performance
Body mass

88.4 ± 10.6

73.7 ± 10.4

Correlation coefficients between V̇ O2max, V̇ O2 kinetics, Inc. test

48.9 ± 7.7

81.3 ± 8.9

76.9 ± 9

speed, RSbest and repeated-sprint performance (i. e., RSmean) and

(kg)

repeated-sprint ability ( %Dec) are presented in ● ▶ Table 4 for

each group separately. The magnitudes of the correlations were

group-dependent: there was a tendency for RSmean and %Dec to
161.4 ± 7.6
188.1 ± 6.7
180.1 ± 4.9
178.1 ± 7.5
180.2 ± 8.0

be associated with RSbest, Inc. test speed and V̇ O2max in some

Height

groups, while these correlations were unclear in others. Correla-

(cm)

tions with either V̇ O2τon or V̇ O2τoff were less apparent.

When analyzing data from the 5 groups together (i. e., 6 sets of
data, ●▶ Fig. 1, 2, zero-order correlations, upper panel), RS
Age (yr)

mean
14 ± 0
23 ± 3
27 ± 4
23 ± 3
23 ± 4

was almost perfectly correlated with RSbest, largely correlated

with Inc. test speed and moderately correlated with V̇ O2max.
The correlations with V̇ O2τon or V̇ O2τoff were unclear. Almost
Table 2 Players’ characteristics.

similar correlations were observed for %Dec, except for the cor-
10
14
10
14
13
n

relation vs. RSbest, which was unclear. When considering correla-

tions adjusted for RSbest (●
▶ Fig. 2, lower panel), the magnitude of
team sport 1a and b

the correlations with V̇ O2max and Inc. test speed was reduced,
while that with V̇ O2τon was increased. Again, there was no cor-
elite handball

team sport 2
team sport 3
youth soccer

relation with V̇ O2τoff.

Stepwise multiple regression analyses further showed that the
Group

major predictors of RSmean were, in order of importance, RSbest

Buchheit M. Repeated-Sprint Performance in Team Sports … Int J Sports Med 2012; 33: 230–239
 Training & Testing 235

Table 3 Pulmonary oxygen uptake kinetics at exercise onset (on) and cessation (off).

On Off
Model mono-/ V̇O2 baseline TD (s) Ampl V̇ O2τon V̇ O2p baseline TD (s) Ampl V̇ O2τoff (s)
bi-exponential (total n) (l.min − 1) (l.min − 1) (s) (l.min − 1) (l.min − 1)
youth soccer 6/4 (10) 378 ± 73 5±2 1352 ± 189 19 ± 4 N/A
elite handball 8/6 (14) 490 ± 126 12 ± 5 3020 ± 401 21 ± 10 3611 ± 460 10 ± 9 3067 ± 388 46 ± 11
team sport 1a and b 8/2 (10) 463 ± 88 6±5 2328 ± 210 24 ± 7 2897 ± 361 13 ± 7 2457 ± 306 41 ± 10
team sport 2 4/10 (14) 394 ± 188 13 ± 6 2697 ± 379 22 ± 13 3221 ± 438 12 ± 6 2807 ± 428 53 ± 7
team sport 3 13/0 (13) 438 ± 185 10 ± 4 1866 ± 311 18 ± 5 2260 ± 297 12 ± 5 1903 ± 262 45 ± 5
Mean ( ± SD) resting (On) or exercise (Off) pulmonary oxygen uptake (V̇ O2 baseline), amplitude (Ampl), time delay (TD), time constant of the primary component of the
pulmonary oxygen uptake kinetics at exercise onset (V̇ O2τon) and cessation (V̇ O2τoff)

Table 4 Relationships between repeated-sprint performance, repeated-sprint ability and selected measures of aerobic fitness, metabolic control and locomo-
tor function.

Group (n) V̇ O2max V̇ O2τon V̇ O2τoff Inc. test speed RSbest

RS mean youth soccer (10) unclear unclear N/A unclear 0.98 (0.94;0.99)
elite handball (14) − 0.50 ( − 0.78;0.05) unclear unclear − 0.55 ( − 0.81; − 0.12) 0.98 (0.95;0.99)
team sport 1a (10) − 0.75 ( − 0.92; − 0.33) unclear unclear − 0.79 ( − 0.94; − 0.43) 0.99 (0.96;1)
team sport 1b (10) − 0.81 ( − 0.94; − 0.47) unclear unclear − 0.85 ( − 0.95; − 0.57) 0.87 (0.62;0.96)
team sport 2 (14) unclear unclear unclear − 0.67 ( − 0.86; − 0.31) 0.73 (0.41;0.89)
team sport 3 (13) − 0.73 ( − 0.90; − 0.39) unclear 0.54 (0.09;0.81) − 0.51 ( − 0.79; − 0.04) 0.95 (0.86;0.98)
%Dec youth soccer (10) unclear unclear N/A unclear unclear
elite handball (14) unclear unclear unclear unclear unclear
team sport 1a (10) − 0.68 ( − 0.89; − 0.20) 0.68 (0.20;0.90) unclear − 0.76 ( − 0.93; − 0.36) unclear
team sport 1b (10) − 0.61 ( − 0.87; − 0.09) unclear unclear − 0.66 ( − 0.89; − 0.17) unclear
team sport 2 (14) unclear 0.52 (0.08;0.79) unclear unclear − 0.68 ( − 0.87; − 0.32)
team sport 3 (13) unclear unclear unclear unclear unclear
Correlation coefficients (90 % confidence limits) describing the relationships between repeated-sprint measures (i. e., mean repeated-sprint time [RSmean] and percentage of
speed decrement [ %Dec]) and maximal oxygen uptake (V̇ O2max), time constant of the primary component of the pulmonary oxygen uptake kinetics at exercise onset (V̇ O2τon)
and cessation (V̇ O2τoff), maximal speed reached at the end of the incremental test (Inc. test speed) and best repeated-sprint time (RSbest). N/A: not available

Table 5 Predictors of repeated-sprint performance and repeated-sprint ability.

Variables Standardized Partial r P r2 r Rating

coefficient
RSmean model 1 Intercept 0.84 0.92 (0.88;0.95) almost perfect
RSbest 0.92 0.92 < 0.001
model 2 Intercept
RSbest 0.76 0.87 < 0.001 0.88 0.94 (0.91;0.96) almost perfect
Inc. test speed − 0.26 − 0.53 < 0.001
%Dec model 1 Intercept
Inc. test speed − 0.41 − 0.41 < 0.001 0.17 0.41 (0.23;0.56) moderate
model 2 Intercept
Inc. test speed − 0.63 − 0.51 < 0.001 0.26 0.52 (0.36;0.66) moderate
RSbest − 0.38 − 0.34 0.004
Coefficient of determination (r2, stepwise multiple regression model) and associated correlation coefficient (r (90 % confidence limits)) illustrating the relationships between
repeated-sprint performance (i. e., mean repeated sprint time [RSmean]) and repeated-sprint ability (i. e., percentage of speed decrement [ %Dec]) and best repeated sprint time
(RSbest) and maximal speed reached at the end of the incremental test (Inc. test speed) for all data pooled together (n = 71). All other variables (maximal oxygen uptake, time
constant of the primary component of the pulmonary oxygen uptake kinetics at exercise onset or cessation) were excluded from the models

and Inc. test speed (●▶ Table 5). For %Dec, Inc. test speed and
RSbest were also the only significant predictors.
Discussion
▼ either V̇ O2τon or V̇ O2τoff were less evident, 2) when considering
The aim of the present study was to examine for the first time in
a wide range of team sport players, the respective impact of
selected measures of aerobic fitness (V̇ O2max), metabolic con-
trol (V̇ O2 kinetics at exercise onset and cessation) and locomotor
function (i. e., sprinting and peak incremental test speeds) on
repeated sprint-performance. The main results were as follows:
1) while the magnitude of the correlations were group-depend-
ent, there was a tendency for RSmean to be associated with RSbest,
Inc. test speed and V̇ O2max; conversely, correlations with
zero-order correlations with all player data pooled together,
RSmean was almost perfectly correlated with RSbest, largely cor-
related with Inc. test speed and moderately correlated
with V̇ O2max; the correlations with V̇ O2τon or V̇ O2τoff were

Buchheit M. Repeated-Sprint Performance in Team Sports … Int J Sports Med 2012; 33: 230–239
236 Training & Testing

25 25
r = 0.92 (0.88;0.95) r = – 0.71 (– 0.80;– 0.60)
20 n = 71 n = 71 20

RS mean (% of group mean)

RSmean (% of group mean)

15 15

10 10

5 5

0 0

–5 –5

– 10 – 10

– 15 – 15
– 15 – 10 –5 0 5 10 15 20 – 30 – 20 – 10 0 10 20 30
RS best (% of group mean) Inc. test speed (% of group mean)

25 25
r = 0.09 (– 0.11;0.28) r = 0.07 (– 0.14;0.28)
20 n = 71 n = 61 20

RSmean (% of group mean)

RSmean (% of group mean)

15 15

10 10

5 5

0 0

–5 –5

– 10 – 10

– 15 –15
– 100 – 50 0 50 100 150 200 – 60 – 40 – 20 0 20 40 60

VO2 τon (% of group mean) VO2 τoff (% of group mean)

Elite Handball Team sport 1a Team sport 1b Team sport 2 Team sport 3 Youth soccer

Fig. 1 Relationships (zero-order correlations) between mean repeated-sprint time (RSmean) and best repeated-sprint time (RSbest), incremental test speed
(Inc test speed), V̇ O2 kinetics at exercise onset (V̇ O2τon) and cessation ( V̇ O2τoff) and for all players pooled together. Correlation coefficients (r) are provided
with 90 % confidence limits.

unclear, 3) for % Dec, the correlations with Inc. test speed, V̇ O2max
and V̇ O2τon were moderate, small and small, respectively; the
correlations with RSbest and V̇ O2τoff were unclear, 4) stepwise
multiple regression analyses further confirmed that the major
predictors of RSmean were, in order of importance, RSbest and Inc.
test speed, and finally 5) Inc. test speed and RSbest were also the
only significant predictors of %Dec.
Pulmonary oxygen uptake kinetics at exercise onset
and cessation in team sport players
To our knowledge, this is the first time that data on V̇ O2 kinetics
have been reported for such a large sample size of team sport
players. All V̇ O2 transitions could be correctly modelled by
either a mono- or a bi-exponential function (95 % CI ranged from
2 to 5 % for both V̇ O2τon and V̇ O2τoff), which confirms the accu-
racy of the present measures. When appropriate, the use of a
bi-exponential model was designed to avoid any distortion of
the primary component parameter by a possible V̇ O2 slow com-
ponent [58]. However, for comparison with the literature
[7, 25, 51], only data from the first exponential were retained for
analysis. Values for V̇ O2τon (●
▶ Table 3) were very similar to those
previously described for adult soccer players [25, 50, 51]. In con-
trast, present V̇ O2τoff values tended to be longer than those
reported by Dupont et al. [24]. Differences in study population
(age, sport, training background), as well as exercise intensity
and V̇ O2 kinetics modeling technique may however account for
these differences. Finally, direct between-group comparisons
of V̇ O2 kinetics were not analyzed in the present study because
of the differences in submaximal exercise intensity and meas-
urement systems; however, this was unlikely to affect the valid-
ity of our correlation analyses since data were analyzed either
within each group separately, or using individual data relative to
groups mean (see statistical section).
Relationships between repeated sprint-performance,
repeated-sprint ability and V̇ O2 kinetics in team sport
players
Comparing the within-group correlations between repeated
sprint-performance, repeated-sprint ability and V̇ O2 kinetics is
important to examine whether the possible associations
between these variables [24, 25, 51] are population- and/or test
protocol-dependent. While the present within-group correla-
tions, given the limited sample size, must be considered with
care, these relationships may offer researchers a starting point
towards understanding how metabolic control (i. e., V̇ O2 kinetics)
may influence repeated-sprint performance in homogenous

Buchheit M. Repeated-Sprint Performance in Team Sports … Int J Sports Med 2012; 33: 230–239
 Training & Testing 237

mechanisms. In fact, probably because of the physical demands

1.0 Zero-order correlations of the game and selection process, (young) soccer players tend to
Almost perfect
0.8 Very large present comparable speed and aerobic qualities [39]. While
Correlation coefficient (90% CI)

0.6 Large these associations still need to be confirmed in adult soccer

0.4 Moderate players, they can increase the likelihood of observing a correla-
0.2 Small
tion between repeated-sprint performance and V̇ O2τkinetics. In
0.0
Small contrast to this latter hypothesis, the magnitude of the correla-
– 0.2
Moderate tion between these variables was not greater for the youth soc-
– 0.4
– 0.6 Large cer group in comparison with the other groups (including
– 0.8 Very large players from different sports), which suggests that the relation-
– 1.0 Almost perfect ships observed previously might be more protocol-dependent.
RS mean %Dec Following our initial hypothesis on players’ profile, the lack of
correlation between repeated-sprint measures and V̇ O2τon in the
1.0 Adjusted for RS best other team sport groups (elite handball, team sport 1, 2 and 3)
Almost perfect
Partial correlation coefficient (90% CI)

0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0
– 0.2
– 0.4
– 0.6
– 0.8
– 1.0 . . . RSmean and V̇ O2 kinetics could also be related to the inclusion of
VO2max VO2p τon VO2p τoff Inc. test
speed
Fig. 2 Correlation coefficients [upper panel] and partial coefficient
correlation [lower panel] with 90 % confidence intervals) between mean
repeated-sprint time (RSmean) and percentage of speed decrement (% Dec)
and maximal oxygen uptake (V̇ O2max), V̇ O2 kinetics at exercise onset
(V̇ O2τon) and cessation (V̇ O2τoff), incremental test speed (Inc. test speed)
and best repeated-sprint time (RSbest) for all players pooled together
(n = 71). Partial correlations are adjusted for RSbest.
groups of team sport players. It is however worth mentioning
that the present group sample sizes (● ▶ Table 2) were similar to
those in Dupont’s studies [24, 25]. More importantly, we used
Hopkins’ scale to interpret the magnitude of the correlations,
which is well suited for the analysis of data obtained with low
sample sizes [30].
The primary important finding of the present study was the
poor association between repeated-sprint performance and/
or repeated-sprint ability and V̇ O2τon or V̇ O2τoff (● ▶ Table 4,
●▶ Fig. 2). In fact, there was a large association between RS
mean
and V̇ O2τoff in only 1 group; %Dec was largely associated
with V̇ O2τon in 2 groups only. As mentioned above, expressing
individual data as a percentage of each group mean overcame
the limitations inherent to the different test protocols, and ena-
bled an accurate examination of the relationships between the
variables for all players pooled together. Following the results
found for each group, V̇ O2τoff was not significantly associated
with any repeated-sprint measure when considering all data
pooled together (● ▶ Fig. 1, 2). V̇ O τ
2 on was only marginally associ-
ated with RSmean when correlations were adjusted for RSbest;
however the multiple stepwise regression analyses excluded
both V̇ O2 kinetics variables from the final models.
These results contrast with the 3 aforementioned studies, where
large correlations were reported between repeated-sprint per-
formance and/or repeated-sprint ability and V̇ O2 kinetics both
at exercise onset [25, 51] and cessation [24]. It is however possi-
ble that these correlations were more related to the particular
fitness profiles of soccer players than to actual cause to effect
Very large can also be explained by the fact that in sports such as handball
Large or basketball, playing position-specific physical demands and
Moderate anthropometric profiles are likely more heterogeneous, so that
Small ‘specialized’ athletic profiles are more common (i. e., slow and
aerobically-fit vs. fast and less fit players) [22, 23]. While still
Small
speculative, this could partially explain the small magnitude of
Moderate
Large
the correlations observed in the present study for the groups
Very large
including players from different team sports.
Almost perfect The large correlation reported by Rampinini et al. [51] between
RS best
2 different sub-groups of players presenting with clearly differ-
ent physical capacities (professional vs. amateur players), which,
by increasing the spread of the data, can increase the magnitude
of the correlation. Finally, it is also worth mentioning that, and
especially in the case of a simple investigation on the relation-
ship between 2 variables [24, 25], researchers are generally more
prone to publish positive results only (i. e., publication bias phe-
nomenon). Therefore, the present results suggest that the
importance of V̇ O2 kinetics for repeated-sprint performance
might be overestimated. In these lines, whether “team sport
players should [really] train to improve V̇ O2 kinetics” per se [51]
still remains to be examined with longitudinal interventions.
Additionally, the training method that might have the greatest
potential to accelerate V̇ O2 kinetics has still to be defined
[1, 2, 34].
From a physiological view point, the lack of a large correlation
between repeated-sprint performance and/or repeated-sprint
ability and V̇ O2τon could be related to the fact that the ability to
repeat sprints might depend more on immediate between-
sprints recovery mechanisms (i. e., PCr resynthesis and ion
transport [26]) than on a possibly reduced O2 deficit at exercise
onset [32]. However, in the present study, V̇ O2τoff was not a
strong predictor of repeated-sprint performance either. In
fact, V̇ O2τoff might not accurately reflect muscle metabolisms
[33], especially not during successive sprints [7]. Whilst muscle
energy turnover consistently declines rapidly after exercise in
the muscle, successive sprints might progressively increase sys-
temic oxygen utilization (e. g., ventilation and cardiac work,
thermoregulation, gluconeogenesis), thereby further dissociat-
ing local from systemic measurements. In support of this idea,
Krustrup et al. [33] did not find a relationship between pulmo-
nary and muscle O2 uptake recovery kinetics following either
low- or high-intensity exercise. Another possible explanation/
limitation of the present study, which should be acknowledged,
resides in the exercise intensity differences we chose to derive
our V̇ O2p kinetics (i. e., submaximal vs. repeated-sprints
sequences). Thus, future studies should assess the kinetics of
these variables using a range of exercise intensities (i. e., from

Buchheit M. Repeated-Sprint Performance in Team Sports … Int J Sports Med 2012; 33: 230–239
238 Training & Testing
heavy to severe exercise). Finally, further studies should also (re)
examine the associations between repeated–sprint performance
and/or repeated-sprint ability and measures of anaerobic capac-
ity (e. g., maximal accumulated oxygen deficit [57]), which were
lacking in the present study to complete the overall energetic
profile of the players.
Relationships between repeated sprint-performance,
repeated-sprint ability and locomotor profile
and V̇ O2max in team sport players
When considering each experimental group separately (●
▶ Table 4),
RSmean was almost perfectly correlated with RSbest in all groups
and moderately-to-very-largely correlated with V̇ O2max and
Inc. test speed in 4 and 5 groups, respectively. Similar (zero-
order) correlations were observed when considering all data
pooled together (● ▶ Fig. 1, 2). It should however be acknowl-
edged that the use of RSbest to assess sprinting capacity has some
limitations. In fact, RSbest is measured during the same specific
effort than the overall RS sequence and it does not perfectly
reflect maximal sprinting capacity per se (i. e., as a physiological
entity [20], which is generally measured during straight-line
sprints over 30–50 m in team sport players [18, 19]). Addition-
ally, RSbest is included in the calculation of RSmean, which
increases the likelihood of observing high correlations between
the 2 variables. Therefore, it is possible that the magnitude of the
correlations observed here between speed capacity and RSmean
would have been lower with the use of a ‘true’ maximal sprint-
ing speed. We are nevertheless confident with the interpretation
of the present results, since RSbest is generally very largely cor-
related with maximal sprinting speed [11, 38]. Additionally, if
the physiological determinants of RSmean were clearly not to be
sprinting speed-dependent, the mathematical influence of RSbest
(accounting for 1/6th to 1/10th of RSmean) should be minimized
(and the magnitude of the correlations, reduced to a greater
extend). Present results are therefore in agreement with previ-
ous studies where large-to-very-large zero-order correlations
between RSmean and sprinting capacities [38, 48, 57] and/
or V̇ O2max (e. g., [25]) were reported. However, when account-
ing for initial sprint time (partial correlations controlling for
RSbest, ●
▶ Fig. 2), or when analyzing the respective impact of all
selected variables simultaneously (stepwise multiple regression
model, ● ▶ Table 5), only RS
best and Inc. test speed were included
in the model. This clearly confirms that repeated-sprint per-
formance (i. e., mean repeated-sprint time) is essentially related
to the value of the locomotor system [38]. While speed qualities
(as only evaluated via RSbest times here) directly determine run-
ning speed during the (repeated-) sprints, a greater Inc. test
speed is likely associated with a lower relative exercise intensity
during the between-sprints recovery periods, which likely trans-
lates into a better repeated-sprint ability and in turn, better
repeated-sprint performance [10, 54]. Another possible explana-
tion is that, for a similar maximal sprinting speed, a higher Inc.
test speed likely reduces the proportion of the anaerobic reserve
[20, 40] that is used during the RSS. This likely results in a lower
anaerobic system participation and diminished local peripheral
physiological disturbance (i. e., less accumulation of fatigue-
related metabolites, such as H+ and Pi) during the RSS, and, in
turn, a better repeated-sprint ability. In support of this hypothesis,
the major determinant of %Dec was Inc. test speed (● ▶ Table 5).
Whilst surprising, the present study is the first to highlight the
greater importance of Inc. test speed compared with that
Buchheit M. Repeated-Sprint Performance in Team Sports … Int J Sports Med 2012; 33: 230–239
of V̇ O2max for improved repeated-sprint ability. While both
measures are generally highly correlated, Inc. test speed reflects,
in addition to maximal cardiorespiratory function, a player’s
locomotor function (i. e., related to his running economy). With
present data limited to RSbest and Inc. test speed, these results
confirm nevertheless Bundle’s views [20], i. e., that all all-out
running efforts lasting from a few seconds to several minutes are
highly related to an athletes locomotor profile, which can be
drawn from (only) 2 measurements: the maximum respective
speeds supported by the anaerobic and aerobic powers of the
athlete. In practical ways, these data suggest that the develop-
ment of these 2 key running speeds should be targeted for the
development of repeated-sprint performance in team sport ath-
letes. On these lines, recent training studies in well-trained team
sport players have shown that repeated-sprint performance
could be substantially improved, not only after high-intensity
aerobic conditioning sessions [4, 14], but also following exclu-
sively neuromuscular-oriented training programs [15, 16]
(which likely improve both speed running capacity and maximal
aerobic speed, but without evident improvement in cardiorespi-
ratory function [44]).
To conclude, the present results obtained in a large sample of
team sport players highlight the importance of locomotor fac-
tors (i. e., sprinting and peak incremental test speeds) in com-
parison with V̇ O2max and V̇ O2 kinetics for greater repeated-
sprint performance. More research is still required in high-
standard team sport players to define the most efficient training
interventions to improve these 2 locomotor qualities, and, in
turn, repeated-sprint performance.
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