The effect of training on the contribution of energy systems during 15-second sprint exercise in athletes of different sport specializations

Abstract

Abstract Background Although physiological adaptations vary by sport, most athletes use short-term maximal exercise. We examined the effect of long-term and ongoing training adaptation on the contribution of energy systems during sprint exercise depending on sports specialization. Method Endurance-trained (n = 17, aged 20.3 ± 6.0 y), speed-power (n = 14, aged 20.3 ± 2.5 y), and mixed (soccer, n = 19, aged 23.4 ± 4.8 y) athletes participated in the study. They performed a 15-second Wingate test before and after a 14-week training phase. The contribution of phosphagen, glycolytic, and aerobic systems was calculated using the three-component PCr-LA-O2 method. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA was used for analysis. Results The proportions of the phosphagen : glycolytic : aerobic energy systems before vs. after the 14-week training period were as follows: 51.8 ± 8.1% : 38.7 ± 6.7% : 9.5 ± 3.2% vs. 46.4 ± 12.8% : 41.1 ± 11.4% : 11.8 ± 5.3% in endurance, 33.9 ± 14.5% : 53.7 ± 13.9% : 11.5 ± 4.1% vs. 34.8 ± 17.2% : 56.9 ± 16.5% : 8.3 ± 2.7% in mixed, and 42.3 ± 12.3% : 49.6 ± 12.1% : 6.9 ± 2.2% vs. 44.7 ± 10.1% : 48.5 ± 9.7% : 6.9 ± 2.2% in speed-power athletes, respectively. The contribution of individual energy systems differed significantly within all groups (p = 0.001‒0.008). Endurance and mixed groups differed in the contribution of the phosphagen (p < 0.001) and glycolytic systems (p = 0.006). Endurance and speed-power groups differed in the contribution of the aerobic system (p = 0.003). There were no substantial shifts in energy systems contribution after the training period, except for decreasing aerobic system contribution in mixed athletes (p = 0.048). Conclusion Energy systems contribution during sprint exercise is determined by long-term specific adaptations. Ongoing training loads do not induce significant changes in the proportions of energy systems.