← Back to library
article 2025 13 pages

Maximizing sprint performance among adolescent sprinters: a controlled evaluation of functional, traditional, and combined training approaches

Xiaohuan Liu, Yongjing Shao, Sohom Saha, Zijian Zhao, Debajit Karmakar

Journal
Frontiers in Public Health
DOI
10.3389/fpubh.2025.1596381
Publication type
Original Research
Study type
controlled trial
Population
adolescent sprinters
View on DOI ↗

Abstract

Background:

Sprint performance plays a crucial role in competitive sports, particularly among adolescent athletes. Training methodologies such as Functional Training (FT), Traditional Training (TT), and a Combined Training (CT) approach have been widely implemented to improve sprinting ability, agility, and coordination. However, the comparative effectiveness of these methods remains inconclusive. This study aims to evaluate the differential impact of FT, TT, and CT on key physiological and skill-related performance variables in adolescent sprinters.

Methods:

A total of 52 national-level adolescent sprinters (aged 15–18 years) were randomly assigned to four groups: Functional Training Group (FTG, n = 13), Traditional Training Group (TTG, n = 13), Combined Training Group (CTG, n = 13), and Control Group (CG, n = 13). The intervention lasted for 8 weeks, with training sessions conducted 6 days a week. Sprint performance, agility, coordination, VO₂ max, muscular strength, and body fat percentage were assessed pre- and post-intervention. A repeated-measures ANOVA was used to analyze within- and between-group differences, with significance set at p  = 72.34,   = 0.81), highlighting the superior efficacy of CTG.

Description

The study compares training methods to enhance sprint performance in adolescents.