Comparative effects of motorized versus traditional sled training on speed, agility, and power in collegiate football athletes over eight weeks

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

Training utilizing a resistance sled has been shown to confer considerable improvements in athletic performance across speed, strength, and power metrics. However, most available training protocols only investigate sled pushing and/or pulling in isolation, with none incorporating lateral movement (i.e., multiplanar movements). The objective of the present study is to determine the efficacy of a novel sled utilizing motorized resistance to improve performance measures while using a comprehensive training program using multiplanar exercises. Forty-eight healthy collegiate male football players were recruited for this 8-week, randomized control trial with three weekly training sessions. Participants were randomized into one of two training groups utilizing either a motorized resistance sled training apparatus (MRS) or a traditional resistance sled training apparatus (CONT). Improvements in countermovement jump height, peak power, 20-meter sprint, and 5-10-5 Pro Agility Test performance were significantly greater in MRS compared to CON (p < .003, d = 1.1; p < .002, d = 1.0; p < .001, d = 1.9; p < .001; d = 1.9; p < .005; d = 0.9, respectively). These findings are the first to demonstrate the efficacy of a novel motorized resistance sled with a training protocol encompassing a variety of multiplanar movements to improve performance measures related to American football