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Sprint training #4 Hamstring training

Sprint training #4 Hamstring training to sprint faster

Much literature is written about the function of the hamstring during sprinting. Hegyi(2) wrote in 2019 that there is already a lot of isometric hamstring activity in the biceps femoris at 75% of your speed. So your hamstrings play an important role during sprinting.

(info graphics YLMSportscience https://ylmsportscience.com)

Higashihara (4) also writes that there is a high activity of the hamstrings during acceleration and sprinting. During the first meters of your sprint, the acceleration phase, you will see that there is a difference in hamstring activation between the different phases of your running. This study shows that during the acceleration phase, the peak force on the biceps femoris is greater due to the active extension of the hip. While during maximum speed the forces on the semitendinosis due to the knee flexion and extension are again higher. This shows that training the hamstring both over the hip and over the knee can be very important for sprinting, as it provides support in multiple phases of the movement.

(info graphics YLMSportscience https://ylmsportscience.com)

V Hooren and vd Bosch published a nice article in 2017 in which the question is asked which activity takes place in the hamstring during running. According to that research, people often speak of a small union of the muscle (eccentric contraction) during running, whereby they ask the question whether this comes from the muscle itself or whether it is more lengthening of tendon tissue. This would mean that the length of the muscle remains the same as it provides force (isometric contraction).

Because this question is not yet clearly answered in the literature, we have exercises for both contraction forms ;).

So we at Performance trainers advise you: strengthen your hamstrings and improve your sprinting/running!

Check our shop for the ideal training materials to improve your sprint speed!

Isometric Shapes:

glute bridge walk out:

Single leg hop out:

Eccentric shapes:

Single leg deadlift:

Single leg deadlift stiff swing to front knee lift

Deadlift:

1. How muscles maximize performance in accelerated sprinting Pandy et al (2021)
2. Hamstring activity at different running speeds Heghi MSSE (2019)
3. Mechanics of the Human Hamstring Muscles during Sprinting SCHACHE, AG, TW DORN, PD BLANCH, NAT BROWN, and MG PANDY. Mechanics of the Human Hamstring Muscles during Sprinting. med. sci. Sports Exercise, Vol. 44, no. 4, pp. 647–658, 2012
4. Hamstring activation acceleration vs maximum speed phases of printing Higashihara et al. J sport sci 2017.
5. Is there really an eccentric action of the hamstrings during the swing phase of high speed running? Part I: A critical review of the literature Bas v Hooren Journal of Sports Sciences (September 2017 )
6. https://ylmsportscience.com

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Sprint Training #2 Sprinting with resistance

Sprint training: Sprinting with resistance

During the game sports there is a lot of sprinting with competitions. With explosiveness training or sprint training, a lot of profit can be achieved.

Football players run 12 kilometers in 90 minutes, of which 200 sprints (2). Hockey players run approximately 20 kilometers (3) in 70 minutes with an average sprint distance of 14-16 meters (4). In gymnastics, many parts start with a sprint and then convert this speed into height for a jump (7)(8). Where in athletics, the sprint is a normal competition part with 100, 200 and 400 meters sprint(7).

Because sprinting is an important part of many sports, it seems useful to look at how we can improve this. This can be done through sprint training with resistance, strength training, core training and technique training.

What does science say?

In this blog we are going to talk about sprinting with resistance. Moya-Ramon (2020) did research on 20 young tennis players (16-17 yrs). The players were divided into 2 groups, the sprinting with resistance group and the conventional group. The groups were extensively tested:

• 5-10-20 meter sprint test
• Modified 5-0-5 Agility Test
• Vertical jump test
• Long jump test from position
• Repeated jumping ability shutle test

The groups both followed the same sprint program:

• Sprint forward
• Backwards
• Multidirectional sprints

With 25s of rest between repetitions and 2-3 minutes of rest between sets.

Result

The result of the study shows that the sprint training itself gave physical improvement in the tennis players. In addition, it shows that sprinting with resistance has a slightly better effect on the 5m sprint and horizontal jump. This suggests that if you want to improve your short-term acceleration, you should train with extra resistance through a resistance band.

Sprint trainer pro exercises

Check our shop for the resistance bands set and sprint trainer Pro and start with the following sprint exercises:

Sprinting with resistance:

Check us out Youtube Channel for more core training and functional strength training.

1. Moya-Ramon et al J Hum Kin 2020 Effects of Resisted Vs. Conventional Sprint Training on Physical Fitness in Young Elite Tennis Players
2. https://www.voetballoopbaan.nl/nieuws/deze-afstanden-lopen-voetballers-gemiddeld-in-een-wedstrijd
3. https://www.jenisport.nl/nieuws/hockey/
4. (2014). Impact of Maxiumum Speed on Sprint Performance During High-Level Youth Female Field Hockey Matches: Female Athletes in Motion (FAiM) Study. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 621-626.
5. Caroline de Reus (2016) the influence of strength training on the sprint speed of hockey players
6. Cronin, J., & Hansen, K. (2005). Strength and Power Predictors of Sports Speed. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 349-357.
7. https://beterturnen.nl/clusk-binnen-het-turnen/
8. Van den Berg, T. (1996).gymnastics in pictures. Publisher de Vrieseborch
9. https://www.atletiek.nl/over-atletiek/spreekbeurt-informatie/onderdelen

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Sprint training #1

Many athletes want to improve their speed and explosiveness. Sprint training and strength training are some methods that can contribute to this. In this blog you will find some recent studies explained and how you can get started.

Sprint training by sprinting with resistance:

Sprinting with resistance is a good way to improve your sprint. Research among 20 young tennis players shows that short sprints and jumping power improve when sprinting with resistance. A weight vest or resistance band was used for this (Moya-Ramon et al J Hum Kin 2020). After training for 6 weeks of short sprints of 3-4 meters and after that had an improvement. Training with resistance bands or sprint trainer can effectively contribute to your sprint training.

Sprint training on different surfaces:

Can the surface you sprint on be of added value for your performance? Apparently yes, research shows that sprint training 2-3x a week for 4-8 weeks in the sand can have a positive effect on your sprint and jumping power (Pereira et al 2021). Before everyone starts building a sandbox. In addition to resistance training (strength training), sprint training on a hard surface also improves the ability to sprint and jump.

Improve your sprint training through strength training?

Strength training is a common way to get stronger and improve your ability to sprint. But what exactly should you do? Research (Pandy et al 2021) shows that the calves and hamstrings have to provide a lot of power during sprinting. So it seems wise to train them properly. In addition, the glutes play an important role, larger glutes and other hip extensors provide a more powerful push-off and therefore a greater sprint ability (Miller et al 2020). You can train your hamstrings well with, for example, a glutebridge and make it even more challenging with the aqua trainer.

How do you best fill in your sprint training?

For your sprint training, here are some exercises that will help with this.

Train your calves:

During the soleus with the aquatrainer from the archer's position, you mainly train the thigh and hip muscles. By using the aqua trainer we also train trunk stability and arm strength.

Attention points for this exercise:
- Take a big step forward and lower your back knee to just above the ground
- Lift the heel of your front foot as high as possible
- Keep the back straight (don't pull hollow)

Train your hamstrings:

During the Single leg bridge with chest press explosive with aqua trainer you mainly train the thigh, hip muscles, chest and shoulder. By using the aquatrainer pro we also train trunk stability.

Attention points for this exercise:
- Lie on your back, grab the aquatrainer with both hands and hold it on your chest. Do the pro band short around your knees.
- Lift 1 leg straight and keep your knees at the same height.
- Explosively lift the buttocks off the mat and stretch the aquatrainer upwards at the same time.
- Keeps the trunk stable
- Then lower the buttocks and aquatrainer

Sprinting with resistance:

During the Squat jump sprint + sprint trainer pro you mainly train leg muscles. By using the sprint trainer do you have extra resistance?

Attention points for this exercise:
- Stand on 2 legs with sprint trainer band around the hips
- Jump on 1 legs as high as possible
- Try to land as softly as possible by sinking your knee well and staying on the front feet
- Sprint forward as quickly as possible after landing

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