The Acute Effects of Different Rest Intervals on 20-Meter Sprint Performance After Sled Push Training

Abstract

This study examined the effects of varying rest periods on 20 m sprint performance following a single sled push with 50% of body weight (BW). Eighteen male participants from Istanbul Gelisim University voluntarily took part. On the first day, participants performed an 18 m sled push with 50% BW, followed by 10 and 20 m sprints conducted randomly after 15 seconds, 1-minute, and 3-minute recovery times. On the second day, participants performed three sprints at the start, followed by sled pushing and recovery periods of 5, 7, and 9 minutes in random order, after which 10 and 20 m sprint times were measured. The analysis revealed a significant decline in 20 m sprint performance after 15 seconds of rest compared to baseline (p < 0.001, η² = 0.317). However, performance improved significantly with 3 minutes of rest, returning to levels close to baseline (p > 0.05). The results indicated that a single sled push with 50% BW did not acutely enhance sprint performance via the post-activation potentiation (PAP) effect. Furthermore, it was observed that the 18 m sled push exercise had no detrimental impact on 20 m sprint performance after recovery periods of 3, 5, 7, or 9 minutes. In conclusion, coaches can incorporate a 3-minute recovery period following sled pushing with 50% BW as part of a complex training method, ensuring sufficient recovery for subsequent sprint exercises.

Keywords

• Post-activation potentiation
• Rest interval
• Sprint
• Sled pushing

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