Effectiveness of anthropometry-specific training programs in sprinters: A randomized controlled trial

Background and purpose Anthropometric characteristics such as body height, limb length, and segmental proportions influence sprint performance by affecting stride length, stride frequency, and mechanical efficiency. However, sprint training is often organized according to unified models with limited individualization based on morphology. This study evaluated the effectiveness of anthropometry-specific (differentiated) training programs for sprinters relative to a unified training model of comparable volume and intensity. Material and methods Forty-eight male competitive sprinters (18–25 years, 100–200 m, 4–8 years experience) were assigned to three anthropometric types based on height and leg length index: Type A (tall, long-legged), Type B (medium, balanced), Type C (short, compact). Within each type, athletes were randomized into an experimental subgroup (anthropometry-specific program, EXP) and a control subgroup (unified program, CON) (n=8 per subgroup). All groups trained for 10 weeks (5 sessions/week) with matched volume and intensity. Sprint performance (60 m, 30 m flying, 150 m) and kinematic variables on the 30–50 m segment (stride length, stride frequency, ground contact time) were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Results Baseline sprint performance did not differ significantly between EXP and CON within each type (p>0.5). All groups improved over 10 weeks (p<0.01), but EXP subgroups of Types A and C showed greater gains than their respective CON subgroups. Tall sprinters in A-EXP improved more than A-CON in 60 m, 30 m flying, and 150 m times, while compact sprinters in C-EXP improved more in 60 m time than C-CON. Kinematically, A-EXP showed larger increases in stride length and greater reductions in ground contact time than A-CON, whereas C-EXP showed greater increases in stride frequency and greater reductions in ground contact time than C-CON. For Type B, no significant EXP–CON differences were observed. Conclusions Under matched training volume and intensity, anthropometry-specific programs were more effective than a unified program for tall, long-legged and short, compact sprinters, particularly for maximal speed, speed endurance, and acceleration. For medium-height sprinters, the unified program was not clearly inferior. These findings support the practical value of incorporating anthropometric criteria as one dimension of individualized sprint training design.