Low-to-Moderate Correlations Between Repeated Sprint Ability and Aerobic Capacity: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis


Ulupinar S., Özbay S., Gençoǧlu C., HAZIR T.

Strength and Conditioning Journal, vol.45, no.4, pp.462-474, 2023 (SCI-Expanded) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Review
  • Volume: 45 Issue: 4
  • Publication Date: 2023
  • Doi Number: 10.1519/ssc.0000000000000752
  • Journal Name: Strength and Conditioning Journal
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, CINAHL, SportDiscus, DIALNET
  • Page Numbers: pp.462-474
  • Keywords: endurance, fatigue, lactate threshold, shuttle run test, total sprint time, VO2max
  • Hacettepe University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to provide meta-analytic estimates of the relationships between repeated sprint ability (RSA) outputs (total sprint time [TST] and fatigue scores) and aerobic capacity indicators (VO2max, the covered distance in the endurance shuttle run test [SRTdistance], and the velocity at the anaerobic lactate threshold [ALTvelocity]). To identify potential studies for inclusion, a search strategy was implemented on MEDLINE (through PubMed) and Web of Science. The correlation coefficients between RSA outputs and aerobic capacity indicators were extracted from the individual studies to reveal a pooled correlation. After the identification of studies providing inclusion criteria, 45 studies consisting of 1,488 accumulated participants were included. Meta-analysis showed the positive moderate relationships between TST and VO2max(pooled r = 0.444, p < 0.001), TST and SRTdistance(pooled r = 0.465, p < 0.001), TST and ALTvelocity(pooled r = 0.527, p < 0.001), RSA fatigue score and VO2max(pooled r = 0.449, p < 0.001), and RSA fatigue score and ALTvelocity(pooled r = 0.460, p < 0.001), which showed a low positive relationship between RSA fatigue score and SRTdistance(pooled r = 0.305, p = 0.029). This study showed pooled correlations between RSA outputs and practical aerobic capacity indicators. However, contrary to popular belief that there were stronger relationships, these relationships were low to moderate.