Clark, DA, Sabick, MB, Pfeiffer, RP, Kuhlman, SM, Knigge, NA, and Shea, KG. 2009. Influence of towing force magnitude on the kinematics of supramaximal sprinting. J Strength Cond Res Jul;23(4):1162-8.
The ideal “training zone” for supra-maximal towing may vary slightly from one athlete to another. The amount of force applied must be enough to increase stride rate, decrease ground contact time, yet avoid altering form and technique.
The amount of force utilized during supra-maximal towing with surgical tubing and other devices is a key factor affcting training effecrtiveness. A force that causes athletes to break form in any way is too much. Force that does not result in faster stride rates and shorter ground contact time is too little. The study below examine these and other factors to provide guidelines for coaches utilizing any saprint-assisted training program.
A study by Clark,et.al. (2009) examined the amount of towing force (per cent of body weight) on key factors associated with supramaximal speed sprinting.Significant differences were observed in stride length and horizontal velocity of the center of mass using 3.8% and 4.7% BW. Contact time decreased significantly in all towing conditions, whereas stride rate increased only slightly (,2.0%) under towed conditions. It was concluded that towing force magnitude influences the kinematics of supramaximal running and that potentially negative training effects may arise from towing individuals with a force in excess of 3.8% BW.
