Effect of targeted muscle relaxation on speed strength performance in sprinters in the preparatory period

Aim. The paper aims to optimize the educational and training process of students engaged in athletics and enhance their 100 m running performance by means of targeted muscle relaxation in the preparatory period. Materials and methods. The study involved 100-m male sprinters of the university athletics team (n = 15). All athletes have the following anthropometric characteristics: average age - 18.8 ± 0.98 years, average weight - 69.6 ± 3.1 kg, body length - 176.6 ± 1.96 cm. The experiment was carried out at a stadium in the same weather conditions. The following research methods were used: pedagogical experiment, physical fitness tests. Myotonometric measurements were used for the muscles of the lower extremities. Results. Significant linear correlations of weak and medium strength between muscle tone, muscle elasticity and sports performance in sprinters were recorded. Speed-strength qualities improved by an average of 10.2 %. Conclusion. The results obtained contribute to the successful adaptation of sprinters to the extreme conditions of competitive activity and help to predict the success of their performance.