Effect of two training modalities on sprint performance in young American football players

Time to perform 40-yard dash (40-yd) is a performance criterion in American football. Sprinting ability is strongly correlated with maximal values of horizontal power (PH_max), Force (FH₀) and Velocity (VH₀). While numerous methods for developing sprint speed exist, few studies have focused on the effects of periodizations on the sprinting mechanical variables in young talented American football players.

this study aimed to compare the effects of block (BP) and undulating (UP) training periodization modalities on 40-yard dash performance.

27 players from the Young French League of American football (17.1 ± 0.9 y, 179.9 ± 5.5 cm, 81.1 ± 14.9 kg) were randomly assigned in either the BP (n = 15) or UP (n = 12) group. Anthropometric characteristics, 40-yd performance, maximal velocity (V_max), PH_max, FH₀ and VH₀ were assessed before and after 10-wk intervention period.

Training resulted in the 40-yd performance increase of 3.72% (p < 0.001) and significant changes in V_max (+ = 6.13 ± 5.62%, p < 0.001) and VH₀ values (+2.68 ± 4.14%, p = 0.004). BP intervention leaded higher improvements in time to perform 40-yd (4.45 ± 2.06 vs. 3.02 ± 1.93%, p < 0.001) and V_max (7.30 ± 6.63% vs. 4.54 ± 4.10%, p = 0.002,) compared to UP. No periodization effect was found in changes of VH₀ (BP: 3.42 ± 4.31% vs. UP: 1.48 ± 3.88, p = 0.214).

Our results showed that BP and UP were effective to increase sprint performance. Despite a similar training load, the block periodization of training had better effects on 40-yd performance compared to undulating training periodization in this population of talented young American football players.