Changes to horizontal force-velocity and impulse measures during sprint running acceleration with thigh and shank wearable resistance

This study determined the effects of two wearable resistance (WR) placements (i.e. thigh and shank) on horizontal force-velocity impulse measures during sprint running acceleration. Eleven male athletes performed 50 m sprints either unloaded or with WR 2% body mass attached to shank. In-ground force platforms were used measure ground reaction forces determine dependent variables interest. The main findings were: 1) increases in times reductions maximum velocity trivial small when using (0.00–1.93%) moderate shank (1.56–3.33%); 2) maintained significantly increased mechanical (effect size = 0.32–1.23), except for theoretical maximal WR, peak power, ratio WR; 3) greater braking vertical impulses observed (2.72–26.3% compared unloaded) than (2.17–12.1% considering entire acceleration phase; and, 4) no clear trends many individual responses. These highlight velocity-specific nature this training method provide insight into what components are overloaded by lower-limb WR.