Effects of Between-Sprint Running Intensity on Repeated-Sprint Performance in Professional Soccer Players

This study examined the effects of two different intensities of running between repeated sprints and compared them with passive recovery. Thirteen professional soccer players performed two sets of six 30 m sprints on three randomly assigned occasions. A 5 min passive rest period separated the two sets, while sprints were interspersed with either passive standing, running at 95% of the first lactate threshold (MOD) and running at maximum aerobic speed (HIGH). Performance decrements were greater in HIGH than MOD at the last sprint in both sets (set 1: 5.8 ± 4.2% vs. 2.6 ± 3.2%, <i>p</i> = 0.07; set 2: 9.1 ± 4.5% vs. 4.0 ± 6.1%, <i>p</i> = 0.016). Acceleration (0-15 m) was more affected than maximal-speed running (15-30 m) (condition × sprint interaction: <i>p</i> < 0.001). Mean and peak heart rate were higher in both running conditions than passive (<i>p</i> < 0.05), with no difference between MOD and HIGH. Blood lactate showed a significant set × condition interaction (<i>p</i> < 0.001), peaking at 13.6 ± 2.7 mmol·L^-1 in HIGH, while blood lactate responses to passive and MOD were similar and peaked after the second set of sprints (10.7 ± 2.1 and 11.5 ± 2.8 mmol·L^-1, respectively). Between-sprint running intensity markedly influenced fatigue development during repeated-sprint exercise. The HIGH condition elicited greater metabolic strain and performance decrements than MOD or passive conditions. Within the present protocol, passive standing was associated with smaller decrements in repeated-sprint performance despite high heart rate and blood lactate responses.