REF-812 · Bachero-Mena et al., 2017 · Journal of Human Kinetics, Vol. 58, pp. 187-195 · Paper · PubMed · Free full text

Relationships Between Sprint, Jumping and Strength Abilities, and 800 M Performance in Male Athletes of National and International Levels

Blimited evidenceMeasured on highly trained to elite athletesWritten before October 2026, being re-checked

Fourteen national- and international-level male 800 m runners (personal bests 1:43-1:58 min:ss) did 20 m and 200 m sprint tests, a countermovement jump, a jump squat, a full squat test and an 800 m race. 800 m time correlated with 20 m (r = 0.72) and 200 m (r = 0.84) sprint times.

Within the 200 m, the correlation between each 50 m split and 800 m time tended to rise from the first to the last 50 m (r = 0.71, 0.72, 0.81, 0.85). 800 m performance also correlated with countermovement jump (r = -0.69), jump squat (r = -0.65) and full squat (r = -0.58). The 200 m time and its last 50 m explained most of the variance in 800 m performance.

Participants

Fourteen male 800 m athletes of national and international level; personal bests 1:43-1:58 min:ss. Age is not given in the abstract.

Protocol

Sprint tests: 20 m and 200 m (the 200 m split into 50 m intervals).
Jumps: countermovement jump, jump squat.
Strength: full squat test.
An 800 m race; correlations between each test and 800 m time.

Key Results

800 m time vs sprint tests (p < 0.01): 20 m r = 0.72; 200 m r = 0.84.
Within the 200 m, the relationship with 800 m time tended to increase from first to last 50 m: r = 0.71, 0.72, 0.81, 0.85.
800 m time vs strength variables (p < 0.01-0.05): countermovement jump r = -0.69, jump squat r = -0.65, full squat r = -0.58 (negative: more jump or strength with a faster 800 m).
The 200 m and the last 50 m of the 200 m were the variables that most explained the variance of 800 m performance.

Practical Application

"Does speed matter for an 800 m runner?" — in fourteen national- and international-level men (800 m bests 1:43-1:58), 800 m time tracked 200 m sprint time most closely (r = 0.84), and especially the last 50 m of the 200 m (r = 0.85), with 20 m speed, jump height and squat strength also related: in high-level 800 m runners, the ability to hold speed over 200 m goes with the faster 800 m.
Test a high-level 800 m runner's 200 m and look at the last 50 m, not only at a flying or 20 m sprint; that was the closest correlate here.
Inference, not tested here: strength and jump qualities are part of the 800 m profile, which supports keeping gym and plyometric work in an 800 m runner's plan; this study measured associations, not training effects.
Not from this paper; the base's own practice: profile the runner as speed type or endurance type before choosing the training emphasis (REF-769, SYNTH-60).

Limitations

Fourteen men; correlations, not causation, and no women.
Narrow, high-level sample; the relationships may differ in slower or more endurance-type runners.
No aerobic measures in the abstract, so the relative weight of speed versus aerobic capacity cannot be judged.
Written from the abstract and record metadata only (full text not read).
How this entry was checked and changed
Why this level

correlational, n=14