Acute and Chronic Effects of Parachute-Resisted Sprint Training on Sprint Performance and Sprint Mechanics: A Systematic Review with GRADE Assessment.
- 1CIPER, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
- 2Portuguese Air Force, Avenida da Força Aérea Portuguesa, Amadora, Portugal.
- 3Symbiosis School of Sports Sciences, Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune, India. [email protected].
Abstract
Background
Parachute-resisted sprint training (PRST) is a practical field-based resisted-sprint method that uses aerodynamic drag to provide sprint-specific overload. Although PRST has been widely used in athletic settings, evidence on its acute mechanical effects and chronic training adaptations remains heterogeneous.Objectives
This systematic review aimed to synthesize the acute and chronic effects of PRST on sprint performance, sprint mechanics, neuromuscular responses, and sprint-related physiological outcomes in healthy, physically active, and athletic populations.Methods
A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus on 17th May 2026. Original empirical studies were eligible if they examined PRST or parachute-resisted sprinting and reported outcomes related to sprint performance, biomechanics, neuromuscular responses, or sprint-related physiology. Studies were synthesized narratively and grouped into acute and chronic evidence streams. Methodological quality was assessed using the Modified Downs and Black checklist, and certainty of evidence was rated using the GRADE approach.Results
Seventeen studies were included (8 acute and 9 chronic). In acute comparisons, PRST consistently reduced sprint velocity or increased sprint time; where directly reported, velocity reductions were approximately 3.4-6% relative to unresisted sprinting. Larger parachute conditions generally produced greater velocity decrements and changes in horizontal force or impulse variables. Chronic studies reported improvements in selected sprint outcomes, including 0-10 m, 10-20 m, and 0-20 m splits in one randomized study; other studies reported improvements such as 3.48% in 60-yd performance and 0.618 s in 100-m performance. However, chronic studies' findings were heterogeneous, and evidence for maximal velocity, neuromuscular or energetic outcomes, and population-specific effects remained limited.Conclusions
PRST appears to provide a practical, sprint-specific overload and may improve selected sprint performance outcomes. However, the current evidence base is limited by small sample sizes, heterogeneous protocols, poor quantification of resistance, inconsistent reporting of outcomes, and limited comparator control. Based on GRADE, confidence in the evidence is generally 'low' to 'very low' across most outcomes. Trial Registration (OSF) https://osf.io/56nct DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/8SJW4.
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BibTeX
@article{bruno2026acute,
title = {{Acute and Chronic Effects of Parachute-Resisted Sprint Training on Sprint Performance and Sprint Mechanics: A Systematic Review with GRADE Assessment.}},
author = {João Bruno and Rohit Kumar Thapa and Hugo Sarmento},
journal = {Sports medicine - open},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1186/s40798-026-01131-9},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42957921},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Acute and Chronic Effects of Parachute-Resisted Sprint Training on Sprint Performance and Sprint Mechanics: A Systematic Review with GRADE Assessment.
AU - João Bruno
AU - Rohit Kumar Thapa
AU - Hugo Sarmento
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/29
JO - Sports medicine - open
DO - 10.1186/s40798-026-01131-9
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42957921
AB - Background Parachute-resisted sprint training (PRST) is a practical field-based resisted-sprint method that uses aerodynamic drag to provide sprint-specific overload. Although PRST has been widely used in athletic settings, evidence on its acute mechanical effects and chronic training adaptations remains heterogeneous.Objectives This systematic review aimed to synthesize the acute and chronic effects of PRST on sprint performance, sprint mechanics, neuromuscular responses, and sprint-related physiological outcomes in healthy, physically active, and athletic populations.Methods A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus on 17th May 2026. Original empirical studies were eligible if they examined PRST or parachute-resisted sprinting and reported outcomes related to sprint performance, biomechanics, neuromuscular responses, or sprint-related physiology. Studies were synthesized narratively and grouped into acute and chronic evidence streams. Methodological quality was assessed using the Modified Downs and Black checklist, and certainty of evidence was rated using the GRADE approach.Results Seventeen studies were included (8 acute and 9 chronic). In acute comparisons, PRST consistently reduced sprint velocity or increased sprint time; where directly reported, velocity reductions were approximately 3.4-6% relative to unresisted sprinting. Larger parachute conditions generally produced greater velocity decrements and changes in horizontal force or impulse variables. Chronic studies reported improvements in selected sprint outcomes, including 0-10 m, 10-20 m, and 0-20 m splits in one randomized study; other studies reported improvements such as 3.48% in 60-yd performance and 0.618 s in 100-m performance. However, chronic studies' findings were heterogeneous, and evidence for maximal velocity, neuromuscular or energetic outcomes, and population-specific effects remained limited.Conclusions PRST appears to provide a practical, sprint-specific overload and may improve selected sprint performance outcomes. However, the current evidence base is limited by small sample sizes, heterogeneous protocols, poor quantification of resistance, inconsistent reporting of outcomes, and limited comparator control. Based on GRADE, confidence in the evidence is generally 'low' to 'very low' across most outcomes. Trial Registration (OSF) https://osf.io/56nct DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/8SJW4.
SN - 2199-1170
SN - 2198-9761
ER -