ABSTRACT: Holmberg, PM, James, LP, Lamont, HS, and Kelly, VG. Are strength adaptations reflected in changes in sprint acceleration performance in highly trained team sport athletes? J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2026-This study examined whether strength adaptations were reflected in sprint acceleration performance during a 9-week periodized training intervention. Nineteen highly trained male team sport athletes (age: 20.16 ± 1.90 years, height: 177.46 ± 8.12 cm, body mass: 73.61 ± 8.24 kg, 1-repetition maximum 1RM back squat: 106.58 ± 16.23 kg, 1.46 ± 0.23 kg·BM-1) completed strength (countermovement jump, maximal 10 rebound jump, isometric squat, and 1RM back squat) and 20-m sprint assessments on 3 occasions (baseline, mid-, and post-test). Net peak force increased at mid- (Z = 3.58, p < 0.001, r = 0.82, large effect) and post-test (Z = 3.70, p < 0.001, r = 0.85, large effect) relative to baseline. Countermovement jump height (Z = 3.42, p = 0.001, r = 0.79, large effect) and reactive strength index (Z = 2.50, p = 0.013, r = 0.57, large effect) were greater at post-test than baseline. One-repetition maximum back squat strength was greater at post-test than at mid-test (Z = 3.94, p < 0.001, r = 0.90, large effect) and baseline (Z = 3.86, p < 0.001, r = 0.81, large effect). However, 0-10 m and 0-20 m sprint times only improved at post-test relative to mid-test (Z = -3.34, -3.37, p = 0.001-0.004, r = -0.77, large effect) and baseline (Z = -2.88, -3.16, p = 0.001-0.002, r = -0.66, -0.73, large effect), suggesting a delayed performance effect. These findings may guide the design of training programs aimed at enhancing sprint acceleration in team sport athletes.
Holmberg et al. (Thu,) studied this question.