The Effects of Short-Cycle Sprints on Power, Strength, and Salivary Hormones in Elite Rugby Players
Abstract
This study examined the effects of short-cycle sprints on power, strength, and salivary hormones in elite rugby players. Thirty male rugby players performed an upper-body power and lower-body strength (UPLS) and/or a lower-body power and upper-body strength (LPUS) workout using a crossover design (sprint vs. control). A 40-second upper-body or lower-body cycle sprint was performed before the UPLS and LPUS workouts, respectively, with the control sessions performed without the sprints. Bench throw (BT) power and box squat (BS) 1 repetition maximum (1RM) strength were assessed in the UPLS workout, and squat jump (SJ) power and bench press (BP) 1RM strength were assessed in the LPUS workout. Saliva was collected across each workout and assayed for testosterone (Sal-T) and cortisol (Sal-C). The cycle sprints improved BS (2.6 ± 1.2%) and BP (2.8 ± 1.0%) 1RM but did not affect BT and SJ power. The lower-body cycle sprint produced a favorable environment for the BS by elevating Sal-T concentrations. The upper-body cycle sprint had no hormonal effect, but the workout differences (%) in Sal-T (r = -0.59) and Sal-C (r = 0.42) concentrations correlated to the BP, along with the Sal-T/C ratio (r = -0.49 to -0.66). In conclusion, the cycle sprints improved the BP and BS 1RM strength of elite rugby players but not power output in the current format. The improvements noted may be explained, in part, by the changes in absolute or relative hormone concentrations. These findings have practical implications for prescribing warm-up and training exercises.
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Self-citation
- Authors
- Crewther, B. T., Cook, C. J., Lowe, T. E., Weatherby, R. P., & Gill, N.
- Affiliations
- Southern Cross University (AU)
- Imperial College London (GB)
- Auckland University of Technology (NZ)
- Corresponding author
- Crewther, Blair T
- Venue
- Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
- Published
- 2011-01
- Volume
- 25
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 32-39
- ISSN
- 1064-8011 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1965170607
- Cited by
- 38
- References
- 33
- Citations by year
- 2025: 4 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 3 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 1
- FWCI
- 2.24
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Cross Connect (Southern Cross University) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/H009744/1)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Rehabilitation › Exercise and Physiological Responses
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
- Keywords
- rugby players, power training, resistance training, salivary testosterone, salivary cortisol, testosterone/cortisol ratio, 1RM strength, bench press, squat jump, warm-up, elite athletes
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Football, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Male, Saliva, Testosterone, Weight Lifting, Exercise, Muscle, Skeletal, Cross-Over Studies, Muscle Strength, Athletic Performance, Young Adult, Athletes
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