The Speed Boost Comes More from Dynamic Running Drills Than Neuromuscular Training

Abstract

Improving sprint performance in adolescents is essential for enhancing physical fitness and athletic development in school-based programs. This quasi-experimental study examined the effects of dynamic running drills and neuromuscular training on the 100-meter sprint performance of Grade 10 students. A total of 89 participants were divided into two groups, (dynamic running drills (n=43) and neuromuscular training (n=46), and underwent an eight-week intervention. The study aimed to determine the sprint performance level of each group before and after the interventions, assess within-group improvements, and evaluate whether there was a significant difference between the two interventions. Descriptive analysis revealed that both groups started with fair-level sprint speeds and improved to the good category after the intervention. Paired samples t-tests indicated significant improvements in both the dynamic running drills group and the neuromuscular training group, highlighting the effectiveness of both approaches in enhancing sprint performance. However, Analysis of Covariance results showed a significant difference in posttest scores between the two groups when pretest scores were controlled, favoring the dynamic running drills. These findings support the Specificity Principle and Feasibility Theory, emphasizing that targeted, sprint-specific training yields greater improvements in performance. The results also confirm existing literature advocating for sprint-focused interventions in adolescent fitness programs, suggesting that integrating such methods into school curricula can effectively develop students’ speed and athletic performance.