Conducting Resisted Sled Sprint Load-Velocity Profiling in Female Rugby League Athletes-Reliability and Sled Load...

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Biomechanics
• Strength and Conditioning

Background:

• Resisted sled sprinting (RSS) enhances short-distance sprint performance.
• Previous load-velocity (L-v) profiling for optimal load (LOPT) using a 50% velocity decrement (VDEC) primarily used male athletes.
• Lack of specific L-v profiling data for female athletes necessitates targeted research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the interday reliability of the L-v slope and LOPT at 50% VDEC in female rugby league athletes.
• To establish reliable L-v profiling protocols for sled loading and relative trial distances in this population.

Main Methods:

• Sixteen female rugby league athletes underwent familiarization and L-v testing on two separate days.
• Sled loads were adjusted to achieve a 50% VDEC based on peak velocity (Vpeak) and average velocity of the maximum velocity plateau (VAVGMVP).
• Interday reliability was analyzed using coefficient of variance (CV) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC3,1).

Main Results:

• Acceptable absolute interday reliability for LOPT (%BM) was observed using both Vpeak and VAVGMVP (CV = 1.82-5.09%).
• Relative reliability for Vpeak and VAVGMVP showed poor to excellent and good results, respectively (ICC3,1 = 0.62-0.73).
• The %BM required for a 50% VDEC ranged from approximately 58% to 72%.

Conclusions:

• L-v profiling for resisted sled sprinting demonstrates acceptable reliability in female rugby league athletes.
• Recommended sled loading protocols should range from 25-100% BM for reliable L-v slope determination.
• Relative trial distances between 10-30m are suggested for effective profiling in female field sport athletes.