Improving Power and Tolerance for Lactic Acid in Sprint Workouts

If you're an athlete in Functional Fitness, you know the importance of power and lactic acid tolerance in your training. Here are a few ways you can improve these areas and take your performance to the next level:

• Warm up properly: Before you start your sprinting workout, make sure you warm up properly to prepare your muscles for the demands of the workout. This can include dynamic stretching, light cardio, and specific warm-up exercises such as high knees or butt kicks.

• Increase strength and power: One of the key ways to improve power in sprinting is by increasing strength. This can be achieved through a combination of weight training exercises, such as squats, deadlifts, and lunges, as well as plyometric exercises like box jumps and jump squats. Aim to lift weights that are around 70-80% of your one-rep maximum and perform 3-5 sets of 5-8 repetitions per exercise.

• Include speed work: In addition to strength training, it's important to include speedwork in your training routine. This can include short sprints at maximum effort, as well as longer intervals at slightly slower speeds. The sprints should be at least 50 meters and up to 150 meters depending on your fitness level and goals.

For speedwork, it's important to take enough rest between repetitions to allow your body to recover sufficiently for the next effort. The amount of rest you need will depend on a number of factors, including the length and intensity of the sprints, your fitness level, and your goals.

As a general guideline, you can aim to take a rest period of 1-2 minutes between sprints. If you're performing longer intervals, such as 150 meters, you may need to take a slightly longer rest period of 2-3 minutes. It's important to listen to your body and adjust your rest periods as needed based on your level of fatigue.

Keep in mind that the purpose of speed work is to improve your ability to perform at a high intensity, so it's important to challenge yourself during each sprint. However, it's equally important to allow yourself enough rest to recover so that you can maintain the quality of each sprint throughout the workout.

•Incorporate lactic acid tolerance work: To improve your tolerance for lactic acid, it's important to include high-intensity intervals in your training. This can include things like hill sprints, sled pushes, or max effort sprints. Aim to perform 4-6 repetitions of 20-30 second sprints with 1-2 minutes of rest between repetitions.

• Focus on form: Proper form is essential for maximizing power and efficiency in sprint workouts. Make sure you're focusing on things like a tall posture, quick and powerful strides, and proper arm and leg positioning. A tall posture can help to improve your breathing mechanics. When you're slouching or hunching over, you compress your diaphragm and limit your lung capacity, which can make it harder to breathe effectively during high-intensity exercise. By maintaining a tall posture, you give your lungs more space to expand and contract, which can improve your oxygen uptake and help you perform at a higher level.

• Practice nasal breathing: Nasal breathing is a breathing technique that involves breathing in and out exclusively through your nose, rather than your mouth. It has been shown to improve endurance capacity and overall breathing efficiency in athletes. Nasal breathing increases oxygen uptake because it allows for greater nitric oxide production, which helps to increase blood flow and oxygen delivery to the body's tissues. Nitric oxide also helps to dilate the airways, allowing for more efficient gas exchange in the lungs, which can lead to improved oxygen uptake. Additionally, breathing through the nose warms and humidifies the air, making it easier for the body to absorb oxygen. The best way to train nasal breathing is to start with shorter, low-intensity workouts and gradually work up to longer, higher-intensity workouts. Aim to inhale through your nose for 2-3 seconds, hold your breath for2-3 seconds, and exhale through your nose for 2-3 seconds. Repeat this pattern for the duration of your workout.

In conclusion, improving power and lactic acid tolerance in sprinting requires a combination of strength training, speed work, proper form, high-intensity intervals, and proper breathing technique. By incorporating these elements into your training routine, you'll be able to take your performance to the next level and achieve your goals for future sprint workouts.

The HELZT Collective

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