Overspeed-based training is widely used to improve athletes’ maximum running speed and towing systems are one of the most frequently employed methods for this purpose. However, the effectiveness of this modality has not been thoroughly determined. This review analyzes the acute effects of overspeed conditions with towing systems in sprinters. The articles were searched, analyzed and selected following the PRISMA methodology in the PubMed, SPORTDiscus and Google Scholar databases.
Sixteen studies were included, with a total sample of 240 men and 56 women.The main acute responses found were: 1) an increase in maximum running speed (ES = 1.54, large), stride length (ES = 0.92, moderate), flight time (ES = 0.28, small) and stride rate (ES = 0.12, trivial); and, 2) a decrease in contact time (ES = 0.57, small).
Analysis of the reported ground reaction forces (GRF) and electromyography data did not provide enough consistent evidence to conclusively determine whether the changes are due to a greater muscular response of the athlete or the effect of the towing system. Future research should focus on studying the mechanisms responsible for the observed acute effects.
Implications for Coaches: Overspeed training, also referred to as sprint-assisted training, should be used in a typical workout after a general warm-up session that also includes dynamic stretching, while athletes are fatigue free. Since the purpose is to train the neuromuscular system, not the anaerobic system, a rest period between repetitions must be sufficient to allow complete recovery. Numerous studies show increases in maximum speed and stride rate. Ongoing research is underway in an attempt to determine the physiological changes that are responsible for these increases.
Source: Pau Cecilia-Gallego, Adrián Odriozola, Jose Vicente Beltran-Garrido & Jesús Álvarez-Herms. 2021. Acute effects of overspeed stimuli with towing system on athletic sprint performance: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Journal of Sports Sciences. Volume 40, 2022 – Issue 6, Pgs 704-716.
