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Cited by 621Sports Performance and TrainingCardiovascular and exercise physiologySport Psychology and Performance

Repeated-Sprint Ability – Part II: Recommendations for Training

Bishop, David, Girard, Olivier, Mendez-Villanueva, Alberto·2011·Sports Medicine
DOI 10.2165/11590560-000000000-00000
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Abstract

Short-duration sprints, interspersed with brief recoveries, are common during most team sports. The ability to produce the best possible average sprint performance over a series of sprints (≤10 seconds), separated by short (≤60 seconds) recovery periods has been termed repeated-sprint ability (RSA). RSA is therefore an important fitness requirement of team-sport athletes, and it is important to better understand training strategies that can improve this fitness component. Surprisingly, however, there has been little research about the best training methods to improve RSA. In the absence of strong scientific evidence, two principal training theories have emerged. One is based on the concept of training specificity and maintains that the best way to train RSA is to perform repeated sprints. The second proposes that training interventions that target the main factors limiting RSA may be a more effective approach. The aim of this review (Part II) is to critically analyse training strategies to improve both RSA and the underlying factors responsible for fatigue during repeated sprints (see Part I of the preceding companion article). This review has highlighted that there is not one type of training that can be recommended to best improve RSA and all of the factors believed to be responsible for performance decrements during repeated-sprint tasks. This is not surprising, as RSA is a complex fitness component that depends on both metabolic (e.g. oxidative capacity, phosphocreatine recovery and H+ buffering) and neural factors (e.g. muscle activation and recruitment strategies) among others. While different training strategies can be used in order to improve each of these potential limiting factors, and in turn RSA, two key recommendations emerge from this review; it is important to include (i) some training to improve single-sprint performance (e.g. 'traditional' sprint training and strength/power training); and (ii) some high-intensity (80-90% maximal oxygen consumption) interval training to best improve the ability to recover between sprints. Further research is required to establish whether it is best to develop these qualities separately, or whether they can be developed concurrently (without interference effects). While research has identified a correlation between RSA and total sprint distance during soccer, future studies need to address whether training-induced changes in RSA also produce changes in match physical performance.

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Crossref · 10.2165/11590560-000000000-00000

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118 of 118 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • The capacity for PCr resynthesis, muscular buffering mechanisms, and aerobic fitness can help delay the negative effects of glycolytic by-products such as H+ accumulation and lactate.

    “The capacity for PCr resynthesis, muscular buffering mechanisms, and aerobic fitness can help delay the negative effects of glycolytic by-products such as H+accumulation and lactate16,18,31.”

    From Evaluating bioenergetic pathway contributions from single to multiple sprints (2024) · cites this paper as [16]

  • As the number of sprints increases without sufficient recovery, performance decline becomes inevitable, particularly in athletes with high initial power levels.

    “As the number of sprints increases without sufficient recovery, performance decline becomes inevitable, particularly in athletes with high initial power levels16,17.”

    From Evaluating bioenergetic pathway contributions from single to multiple sprints (2024) · cites this paper as [16]

  • Indirect evidence points to the role of anaerobic energy pathways in maintaining repeated sprint performance, but this comes at the cost of metabolite accumulation and energy store depletion.

    “Indirect evidence points to the role of anaerobic energy pathways in maintaining repeated sprint performance, but this comes at the cost of metabolite accumulation and energy store depletion13,16,18.”

    From Evaluating bioenergetic pathway contributions from single to multiple sprints (2024) · cites this paper as [16]

  • RSA-based exercises are highly efficient for many sports, as they engage all three energy pathways even in low-volume training sessions.

    “More recent findings suggest that RSA-based exercises are highly efficient for many sports, as they engage all three energy pathways even in low-volume training sessions1,3,11,16.”

    From Evaluating bioenergetic pathway contributions from single to multiple sprints (2024) · cites this paper as [16]

  • Muscle fatigue during repeated sprint activities (RSA) is a multifactorial process involving complex interactions between metabolic, neuromuscular, and biochemical mechanisms.

    “Muscle fatigue during repeated sprint activities (RSA) is a multifactorial process involving complex interactions between metabolic, neuromuscular, and biochemical mechanisms16,17.”

    From Evaluating bioenergetic pathway contributions from single to multiple sprints (2024) · cites this paper as [16]

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Authors
Bishop, D., Girard, O., & Mendez-Villanueva, A.
Affiliations
  • Victoria University (AU)
  • Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital (QA)
Corresponding author
Bishop, David
ORCID
Venue
Sports Medicine
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2011-09
Volume
41
Issue
9
Pages
741-756
ISSN
0112-1642 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.2165/11590560-000000000-00000
OpenAlex
W2105325815
Cited by
621
References
118
Citations by year
2026: 69 · 2025: 54 · 2024: 50 · 2023: 38 · 2022: 49 · 2021: 43 · 2020: 46 · 2019: 35 · 2018: 52 · 2017: 40 · 2016: 31 · 2015: 27 · 2014: 38 · 2013: 30 · 2012: 17
FWCI
4.81
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Sports Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Victoria University Research Repository (Victoria University) (submittedVersion)
  • UWA Profiles and Research Repository (UWA) (submittedVersion)
  • Murdoch University Research Portal (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Sport Psychology and Performance
Keywords
repeated sprint ability, team sports, training strategies, training specificity, fatigue, interval training, high-intensity training, strength and power training, oxidative capacity, phosphocreatine recovery, muscle activation, soccer
MeSH terms
Female, Glycolysis, Heart, Humans, Male, Muscle Contraction, Oxygen Consumption, Phosphocreatine, Physical Endurance, Physical Fitness, Running, Muscle, Skeletal, Athletic Performance, Resistance Training, Athletes

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