ARTICLE TO BE CONSIDERED FOR PUBLICATION IN:

Journal of Australian Strength and Conditioning (JASC)

Referee Report

Manuscript title: Speed Development in Athletic Training

Author: Akarsh Sanjay Kumar

Article Category: Review of the Literature

Reviewer: Dr Greg Wilson

Date: 8th September 2024

Please rate the following aspects of the article:

(if the response is `No’, where possible please suggest improvements on Yes/No
the attached sheet)

Does the Title accurately reflect the content of the text? Yes

Does the BLUF provide the key message from the paper (main finding or Yes
practical recommendation) that is clear and concise?

Additional information is
Is the Abstract informative, providing the essence of the article (Purpose,
required. Please expand
Methods, Main Results, Key Finding and useful Practical Applications)
your Abstract within the
clearly and concisely?
275-word limit.

Is the Introduction well developed, clearly providing a rationale for the

Yes
paper?

Is the Purpose of the manuscript clearly stated? Yes

Additional information is
Are the Methods of the study or review clearly explained?
required.

Is the article sufficiently complete and Up-To-Date? Yes

Additional information is
Are the Practical Implications of the findings discussed?
required.
 Are the author’s Statements and Methods adequately supported by Additional referencing is
references? required

Yes, please include a

Table of an example
Are additional Tables, Videos or Figures needed (please specify the type weekly training program
of figures/tables/videos that would aid the reader of this article)? for an elite soccer player
during the pre-season
period.

Is the information in the review Relevant? Yes

Is the article Clearly Written (concise, clear, well organised with good Some changes are
spelling and grammar, written in the 3rd person with past tense)? required.

Are the References formatted in accordance with the Author Guidelines

No
for JASC?

Is the article Formatted in accordance with the Author Guidelines for

Yes
JASC?

Please indicate if this paper is: acceptable for publication without revisions
acceptable for publication with minor revisions
acceptable for ASCA Level 2 with major revisions X
reject for the ASCA Level 2 with opportunity to
revise
reject with no opportunity to revise
Regardless of acceptability for publication, is this topic of high, medium or low interest Medium

COMMENTS TO THE AUTHOR

General Comments

This paper is on an area of interest to the strength and conditioning field. A number of comments have
been made below and I encourage the author to modify the paper in line with these comments and also
to provide a point-by-point response to each comment made. Once corrected I will be happy to
recommend a pass for the ASCA Level 2 accreditation, but only if all comments have been specifically
addressed.
 Specific Comments

Page 2 Abstract: Your abstract reads like a basic introduction. It should be a summary of the paper which
includes some introductory materials and also a statement of purpose, the methods used (search engines used
to locate the papers and the number of papers included in the review), the main findings and key practical
recommendations. Please expand your Abstract within the 275-word limit.
Page 2: It was stated that:
“This review will explore the roles of plyometric training, resistance training, and sprint technique
optimization, alongside discussions on the physiological mechanisms underpinning speed improvements.
Additionally, it will provide practical applications and training recommendations for coaches and
practitioners.”
Please write the paper in the past tense.
Page 3: It was stated that:
“An initial search resulted in 250 studies, with 60 meeting the inclusion criteria after screening for relevance
and quality.”
In the list of references there are only 16 references listed. Were 60 studies included in your review or 16?
Please consider and revise.
Page 3: It was stated that:
“Moreover, plyometrics can enhance the stiffness of the musculotendinous unit, contributing to better
energy return during the propulsive phase of sprinting.”
When making such definitive statements, please include the supportive references in brackets at the end of
the sentence. Please make this change throughout your paper. It must be well referenced.
Page 4: It was stated that:
“Ralph V. Mann and Peter Sprague (2015) emphasized that minimizing ground contact time while
maximizing force application during each stride is crucial.”
Please use the number reference system, not the year of publication. Please make this change throughout the
paper.
Page 6: It was stated that:
“Incorporating aerobic conditioning into a training program can enhance both recovery and overall
endurance.”
Can aerobic conditioning produce an interference effect for speed development? Please discuss. How much
endurance training is too much for speed development?
Page 10 Practical Applications: In this section, please include an example weekly training program for an
elite soccer player during the pre-season period. Please include as much detail as possible. This would suit
a Table format. Please include.
Pages 11-12 References: Please ensure that the references are formatted in accordance with the Author
Guidelines.

Outlining the Changes Made:

· Page 2 Abstract:
 The abstract has been revised to include a summary of the paper, incorporating the statement of
purpose, methods used (including search engines and number of papers included), main findings, and
practical recommendations, all within the 275-word limit.

The paper has been revised to use the past tense throughout, including the specified section

· Page 3:

Clarified that although many studies were initially reviewed for inclusion, only a select few met the criteria for
detailed discussion and are therefore listed in the references. The wording has been adjusted for clarity.

· Page 3:

Supportive references have been added throughout the paper wherever definitive statements are
made, including the specified section.

· Page 4:

The referencing style has been changed to the number reference system throughout the paper, as
per jasc-author-guidelines.

· Page 6:

A discussion on the potential interference effect of aerobic conditioning on speed development has
been added. The limits of endurance training for speed development have been explored and clarified
in the revised manuscript.

· Page 9:

A detailed example of a weekly training program for an elite soccer player during the pre-season
period has been added in a table format in the Practical Applications section, as requested.

· Page 13:

References have been revised and formatted according to the Author Guidelines.