Analysis of the correlation of running-based anaerobic sprint test (RAST) with performance on 100m straight and curve runs

Abstract

The running-based anaerobic sprint test (RAST) is used to measure anaerobic capacity by calculating the maximum power, minimum power, mean power and fatigue index variables. This research aims to determine if there is a relationship between the 100m straight and curve runs, by examining the correlation between the RAST variables among varsity sprinters and their maximal sprint performances on the 100m straight and curve. Ten male varsity sprinters aged 19 to 26 years (22.4 ± 1.1) were recruited for the experiment. They were randomly assigned to each of the three experimental conditions (RAST, 100m straight and 100m curve) over three separate sessions. The RAST comprised six 35m maximal sprints with 10s rest per repetition. There were three trials each for the 100m straight and curve respectively, with 30 minutes rest after each sprint. Pearson correlation coefficients indicated significant negative correlations between the RAST variables and both 100m straight and curve performances, ranging from -0.692 to -0.878 at p<0.05, although there is a stronger correlation with the straight runs. Linear regression analyses suggested that the RAST variables could be used to predict both 100m straight and curve performances. There was also a strong positive correlation between 100m straight and curve runs (r = 0.939, p < 0.01). The strong positive relationship of the 100m straight and curve performances meant that running fast on the curve is highly dependent on the ability to run fast on the straight, with high power output being an important factor for both.