Sprint performance: does coaching feedback matter?

What they found

The results were quite surprising. In terms of linear speed, providing augmented feedback and using competition significantly improved performance relatively to control, whereas providing technique feedback from a coach (what is often assumed to be most effective) did not. The same results were seen for the curved agility test. There were no differences in performance for repeated sprint ability across all trials.

When it comes to maximal speed training performance, it appears that racing a competitor or simply knowing one’s performance will result in the most improvement, more so than getting technical feedback from a coach. This is a particularly interesting finding as most coaching is often centered around providing technique feedback, when it appears that simply telling athletes how fast they are running, or having them race, might be the best course of action!

While all conditions improve enjoyment relative to the control, it was only the augmented feedback condition that improved effort and value. Beyond the performance benefits, it appears that augmented feedback can improve motivational qualities associated with training, possibly enhancing willingness to continue to engage in challenging training. In contrast, there was no impact of testing condition on mood states.

Practical applications for athletes

Many athletes are aiming to improve their speed, yet don’t have access to regular coaching. They believe this puts them at a disadvantage because they don’t have access to technical feedback provided by a coach. The results of this study indicate that they won’t be at a disadvantage at all. On the contrary, they may even be better off without the feedback!

That’s not to diminish the value of a highly qualified coach, as they certainly give athletes much more than simply providing technical feedback. Indeed, the results might have been very different if a particularly knowledgeable coach was used - particularly one that was familiar with the athletes in the study.

However, the big takeaway point from this research is just how powerful it is to simply be aware of performance times. This study points to the value of knowing and measuring performance, as it appears that the simplest and most effective performance enhancer is keeping track of performance. Fortunately, expert coaching is not required to know how fast one is running.

For athletes that are training by themselves, it’s absolutely critical to keep track of performance as much as possible to optimize training quality. Obviously, gauging performance can present its own set of challenges. While timing gates are effective, they may not be accessible to everyone. However, if you are regularly training solo, it could be a wise investment.  
 

If not, a simple stopwatch can get the job done.  While it might not be the most accurate form of timing, provided that you’re timing consistently, it can help you gauge your progress, which is the important point. And if you don’t have access to timing equipment, find a training partner and race them! Racing is a superior strategy for improving performance as well.

Even better, focusing on performance increases effort and improves the value associated with the activity. This means that athletes are more likely to repeat these activities. As training can be particularly difficult and monotonous, any psychological benefit is potentially of value if it helps for athletes to continue to put in the work to accomplish their goals.

Reference

Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2023 Feb 7;18(3):313-319. doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2022-0320