The Effect of Acceleration Training on The Speed 60-Meters Short Distance Running

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the effect of acceleration training on 60-meter sprint speed among students of Madrasah Ibtidaiyah DDI Pulele. Sprint performance in elementary school students is strongly influenced by acceleration ability, lower-limb explosive power, running coordination, stride frequency, and sprint technique. Initial observations showed that students had difficulty performing effective acceleration during short-distance running, resulting in suboptimal sprint performance. This study used a quantitative experimental method with a pre-test and post-test control group design. The sample consisted of 20 male and female students divided into an acceleration training group and a control group, with 10 students in each group. Data were collected through observation and a 60-meter sprint test, then analyzed using descriptive statistics, normality testing, and paired-samples t-test at a significance level of 0.05. The results showed that the acceleration training group improved from a pre-test mean of 9.804 ± 0.542 seconds to a post-test mean of 8.473 ± 0.101 seconds, with a mean difference of 1.331 seconds. The paired-samples t-test showed a significant effect of acceleration training on sprint speed, with t = 8.361, df = 9, and p = 0.000 < 0.05. Meanwhile, the control group showed only a small improvement from 9.807 ± 0.473 seconds to 9.618 ± 0.463 seconds. These findings indicate that structured acceleration training effectively improves 60-meter sprint speed by enhancing neuromuscular coordination, explosive leg power, stride efficiency, and early-phase running mechanics. Therefore, acceleration training is recommended as an effective strategy in elementary school athletics learning.