The assessment of repeated sprint ability using a combined sub-maximal and exhaustive treadmill protocol

This study aimed to analyse a new repeated-sprint ability test (RST) for a motorised treadmill. The RST includes ten 15-s sprints at 23 km•h-1 interspersed by a 15-s static pause, followed by an exhaustive phase with increased sprint time and decreased recovery. The results would seem to indicate acceptable reliability for the key outcome variables (HR, RPE, number of completed sprints), good concurrent validity against VO2max and Yo-Yo IR2 performance, and sensitivity of the test to acute hypoxia exposure. In conclusion, the RST seems to provide an effective tool for repeated-sprint ability assessment in a laboratory setting.