How strong is strong enough? A new 2025 study (Vial et al., J...
Fred Duncan@Fred__Duncan
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Aug 26, 2025
~2 min read
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How strong is strong enough?
A new 2025 study (Vial et al., J Strength Cond Res) looked at 60 trained football players and tested what strength and power levels best predicted 20m and 40m sprint times (likely a better test for accel).
They found
IMTP ≥ 2× bodyweight was the
A new 2025 study (Vial et al., J Strength Cond Res) looked at 60 trained football players and tested what strength and power levels best predicted 20m and 40m sprint times (likely a better test for accel).
They found
IMTP ≥ 2× bodyweight was the
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cutoff…beyond that, more strength didn’t improve sprint times.
Broad jump velocity ≥ 0.29 m/s showed the same pattern.
Sprint performance improved up to these points, but then plateaued.
The study tested IMTP, broad jump velocity, Nordic eccentric hamstring strength, and CMJ.
Broad jump velocity ≥ 0.29 m/s showed the same pattern.
Sprint performance improved up to these points, but then plateaued.
The study tested IMTP, broad jump velocity, Nordic eccentric hamstring strength, and CMJ.
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But only IMTP and broad jump velocity emerged as true “predictors” of sprint performance, demonstrating saturation thresholds, while hamstring and CMJ measures didn’t show that same level of predictive value.
Strength is critical, but its carryover to sprinting isn’t unlimited
Strength is critical, but its carryover to sprinting isn’t unlimited
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.
What it doesn’t tell us
Also, It does not prove causation. Just because stronger athletes sprint faster up to a point doesn’t mean the strength itself is what’s driving the sprinting ability. It could also be that
Faster athletes happen to test strong because the same
What it doesn’t tell us
Also, It does not prove causation. Just because stronger athletes sprint faster up to a point doesn’t mean the strength itself is what’s driving the sprinting ability. It could also be that
Faster athletes happen to test strong because the same
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neuromuscular qualities (fast twitch fiber comp, tendon stiffness, RFD, etc.) make them excel in both.
Genetic bias - athletes who are naturally fast may also display high strength scores, so the correlation reflects shared qualities rather than one causing the other.
Genetic bias - athletes who are naturally fast may also display high strength scores, so the correlation reflects shared qualities rather than one causing the other.
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Training history bias - maybe the faster guys also lifted more consistently, so you’re not untangling strength from skill practice and exposure.
This is just one study, but I thought it was interesting. If you want a full breakdown of how strength training really
This is just one study, but I thought it was interesting. If you want a full breakdown of how strength training really
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transfers to sprint performance, I dedicated an entire chapter to it in my new program + eBook Speed Kills.
Speed Kills is my most detailed resource on acceleration, max velocity, strength programming, plyos, resisted sprints, and more.
Speed Kills is my most detailed resource on acceleration, max velocity, strength programming, plyos, resisted sprints, and more.