Enhancement of Sprint Speed Using Leg and Full-Body Strengthening Exercises Among Muslim Female College Students

Abstract

This study examined the effectiveness of leg- and full-body-strengthening exercises in improving sprint performance among Muslim female college students at a tertiary school in Pagadian City. An active comparator design of the non-equivalent pretest–posttest design was employed, comparing two intervention groups without a passive control. A total of 160 participants were initially selected, with 72 completing the leg strengthening intervention and 73 completing the full-body strengthening intervention. Sprint speed performance was measured using the USFD 20-meter sprint power test, with speed expressed in meters per second. The interventions were implemented over eight weeks during Physical Education (PE) classes, in accordance with ethical standards and informed consent procedures. Descriptive statistics, paired samples t-test, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were used to analyze the data. Results revealed that participants demonstrated very slow sprint speed performance before the intervention and improved to a moderate level after the intervention. Both the leg-strengthening and full-body-strengthening groups showed statistically significant improvements in sprint speed. However, no significant difference was found between the two interventions, indicating that both were equally effective. These findings support the role of structured and progressive exercise programs in enhancing sprint-related fitness, even among non-athlete populations. The results also align with theoretical perspectives emphasizing kinetic chain coordination and task-specific training in improving movement performance. The study concludes that both leg and full-body strengthening exercises are viable strategies for improving sprint speed performance in PE settings. It highlights the importance of context-sensitive, well-designed interventions for promoting functional fitness outcomes and supports the implementation of inclusive, evidence-based Physical Education programs.