Author(s): CAO, J., Institution: Q2PERFORMANCE, Country: CHINA, Abstract-ID: 2445

INTRODUCTION:
Acceleration performance during the first 20 m of a 100m sprint is critical for overall sprint success. Early-phase sprint acceleration requires rapid force production against the ground within very short contact times. The rate of force development (RFD), particularly maximal RFD derived from force-time curves, has been proposed as a key neuromuscular determinant of acceleration performance. However, the relationship between the maximum RFD obtained from a squat jump (SJ) on a force plate and sprint performance in trained sprinters remains insufficiently clarified. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the association between maximum RFD during a force-plate squat jump and 20m sprint performance in competitive 100m athletes.
METHODS:
Competitive 100m sprinters (n = 14; age = 18 ± 2 years; training experience = 5 ± 2 years) participated in this study.
Athletes performed:
1. Squat jump (SJ) on a force plate (sampling frequency = 1000 Hz).
• Hands placed on hips
• Knee angle standardized
• No countermovement allowed
• Maximum RFD calculated
2. 20m sprint test
• Electronic timing gates positioned at 0 m and 20 m（include reactive time）
Pearson correlation analysis was used to determine the association between maximum RFD and 20m sprint time. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
RESULTS:
Maximum rate of force development (RFD) during the squat jump was strongly and negatively correlated with 20m sprint time (r = -0.879, p < 0.001, n = 14).
The 95% confidence interval (CI) for the correlation coefficient ranged from -0.964 to -0.640, indicating a consistently strong inverse association between explosive force production and acceleration performance.
Linear regression analysis revealed that maximum RFD explained 77.3% of the variance in 20m sprint performance (R² = 0.773). The regression model was statistically significant (F(1,12) = 40.9, p < 0.001).
Athletes with higher maximum RFD values demonstrated systematically faster sprint times, supporting the importance of rapid force production capacity during early acceleration.
CONCLUSION:
These findings suggest that maximum RFD derived from a force-plate squat jump is strongly associated with short-distance acceleration performance in 100m sprinters. Athletes capable of generating force more rapidly demonstrate superior performance during the initial 20 m of sprinting.
Squat jump maximum RFD may serve as a practical neuromuscular indicator for monitoring acceleration capacity and guiding strength-power training interventions in sprint athletes.