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3. Sprint and jump performance responses to curvilinear sprint training with and without a weighted vest in youth female soccer playersMatic Sašek, Darjan Smajla, Katarina Gadnik, Darjan Spudić, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: Objectives: Evidence on the effects of curvilinear sprint (CS) training in female soccer players is limited. This study examined the effects of adding a weighted vest during CS training on sprint and vertical jump performance in youth female soccer players. Methods: Sixteen players were randomly assigned to a CS training group (CON; n = 8) or a weighted vest CS training group using 10% body mass (WV; n = 8) for six weeks (one session per week). Pre- and post-intervention testing included a 30-m linear sprint (LS), CS performed to the left and right sides, squat jump (SJ), and countermovement jump (CMJ). Peak sprinting speed (Speak) measured via Global Navigation Satellite System during LS, weaker-side, and stronger-side CS, as well as jump height, were analysed as primary outcomes. Curvilinear sprint asymmetry (CSASY) was calculated as a secondary outcome. Results: Paired-samples t-tests showed significant improvements in weaker-side CS for CON (+3.5%) and WV (+5.3%), accompanied by significant reductions in CSASY. Significant decreases in SJ and CMJ height were observed only in the CON group (−7.6 and −7.7%, respectively). The ANCOVA revealed greater post-intervention Speak in stronger-side and weaker-side CS for the WV group. Conclusion: Curvilinear sprint training improved weaker-side CS performance in youth female soccer players, whereas training with a weighted vest additionally mitigated declines in jumping performance. Curvilinear sprint training with or without a weighted vest may enhance direction-specific sprint speed in youth female soccer players.
Keywords: association football, external load, high-speed running, vertical jump
Published in RUP: 23.08.2026; Views: 450; Downloads: 23
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8. Myotonometric assessment of achilles tendon and gastrocnemius stiffness in recreationally active young adults : reliability, impact of sex, and links to linear sprintMatic Sašek, Petra Brnelić, Žiga Kozinc, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: This study examined the relationship between passive Achilles tendon (AT) and gastrocnemius (GAS) stiffness, measured by myotonometry, and 40-m sprint performance across acceleration and maximal velocity phases, while accounting for sex differences. Twenty-one student athletes (10 males, 11 females) underwent bilateral passive stiffness assessments of the AT and GAS using MyotonPRO, followed by 40-m sprint testing with 10, 20, 30, and 40 m splits. Reliability was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and coefficient of variation (CV). Sex differences were examined with independent t-tests. Partial correlations controlling for sex were used to assess associations between passive stiffness and sprint performance. Passive stiffness and sprint variables demonstrated excellent within-session reliability (ICC = 0.95–0.99; CV < 5%). Males showed significantly greater passive GAS stiffness bilaterally (p = 0.006–0.049) and faster sprint times at 30 m (p = 0.040) and 40 m (p < 0.001), while passive AT stiffness did not differ significantly between sexes. Partial correlations indicated that greater passive AT stiffness in both legs was associated with faster sprint times at 10 m (r = -0.46 and -0.58, p = 0.008 and 0.043) and 20 m (r = -0.49 and -0.58, p = 0.008 and 0.029). No associations were observed at 30 m or 40 m, nor between passive GAS stiffness and sprint performance. Myotonometry provides reliable measures of AT and GAS stiffness. Greater passive AT stiffness is associated with faster acceleration sprint performance independent of sex.
Keywords: stiffness, muscle, tendon, sprint
Published in RUP: 06.04.2026; Views: 656; Downloads: 18
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9. Start detection in resisted sprinting : a validity and reliability analysis of encoder- and sensor-based methodsOskar Cvjetičanin, Matic Sašek, Živa Mesec, Nejc Šarabon, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: This study evaluated the validity and reliability of start detection methods for determining 5-m sprint time using a resistance device with an encoder. Seventeen recreationally trained participants completed 12 resisted 5-m sprints across two sessions. Sprint start was identified using three encoder-based methods (position, velocity [MEv], and acceleration), a rear-foot release sensor and hip-marker kinematics (KIN) as a proxy for forward center-of-mass displacement. Reliability was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), coefficient of variation (CV), typical error (TE), standard error of measurement (SEM), and minimal detectable change (MDC), while agreement was examined using Pearson correlations and Bland-Altman analysis. All methods showed moderate to excellent reliability (ICC = 0.54–0.93; CV ≤ 11.1%) and strong agreement with KIN (r = 0.90–0.94). MEv showed the smallest bias (−0.00 ± 0.07 s) and narrowest 95% limits of agreement, and is therefore preferred for sprint start detection in practical settings.
Keywords: resisted sprinting, sprint start, encoder, performance monitorin
Published in RUP: 26.03.2026; Views: 894; Downloads: 52
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10. Effects of different lifting strategies during resistance training on lower body function in untrained adult women : a comparison between 6-weeks of 10% velocity loss and standard resistance trainingMatic Sašek, Hana Golob, Nejc Šarabon, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: Introduction: This study investigated whether velocity-based resistance training provides additional benefits to lower limb performance compared to standard exercise execution. Methods: Twenty untrained adult women (37–55 years) were randomly assigned to two resistance training groups to perform resistance training with three sets of four lower body exercises per week for 6 weeks. The number of repetitions and lifting velocity differed between the groups. One group performed lower body exercises with maximal intent and a 10% velocity loss threshold termination (VB10%; n = 10), while the other group performed 10 repetitions at a standard 1:2 s concentric:eccentric tempo (STD; n = 10). The number of repetitions was recorded during the sessions. Before and after the intervention, power, muscular endurance and dynamic stability of the lower limbs were assessed using the mean propulsive velocity (MPV) and power (MPP) at 70% one-repetition maximum in the squat and deadlift, the Y-balance test (YBT) and the 30-second sit-to-stand test (STS), respectively. A two-way analysis of variance was used to assess the effects of time, group, and their interaction. Results: The difference between 10 repetitions in the STD and repetitions in the VB10% was assessed using a one-sample t-test. Both groups significantly improved MPP, MPV, YBT and STS [mean difference (MD) ≥5.4%; effect size (ES) ≥0.6]. Although 2.5–2.7 less repetitions were performed in VB10%, the improvements in MPP and MPV were slightly greater (ES ≥ 1.2 vs. ≥ 0.8). Conversely, STS and YBT improved more in STD (ES ≥ 0.4 vs. ≥ 1.0). Discussion: Regardless of the lifting method used, the training intervention improved lower limb power, muscular endurance and dynamic stability, indicating that resistance training is an effective strategy for enhancing these capacities in untrained adult women. Using 10% threshold may be a more time-efficient strategy for improving lower-limb power in this population and could represent a promising approach for mitigating early declines in power over time.
Keywords: adult women, dynapenia, muscle performance, power, powerpenia, resistance training, strength, velocity loss
Published in RUP: 14.01.2026; Views: 1178; Downloads: 14
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