## 4 Discussion
The findings of this study contribute to the limited body of literature on the relationship between reactive strength and sprint performance in team sport athletes by identifyinga clear link between RSI and CT\({}_{\text{SPRINT}}\). Given the large effect sizes observed in the differences between high and low RSI performers, it is plausible that improving reactive strength through specific training interventions may facilitate the enhancement of sprinting performance, particularly in athletes with poor reactive strength levels (<1.4 units). Despite the findings, several methodological limitations must be acknowledged. One key limitation relates to the use of the bilateral 10-5 Repeated Jump Test (RJT) as the sole measure of reactive strength. While this test is commonly employed due to its practicality and reliability, it may not fully capture the specific neuromuscular demands of sprinting, which is unilateral and requires a greater horizontal force orientation. This mismatch may partly explain the absence of significant relationships between RSI and sprint performance in the 0-5 m segment. Furthermore, contradictory findings in the literature suggest inconsistencies in how reactive strength is defined and measured, with studies employing different RSI protocols (e.g., drop jumps, ankle rebound jumps, or unilateral tasks), leading to varied outcomes. For example, some studies have reported significant associations between RSI and early acceleration, particularly when unilateral or sport-specific assessments are used, challenging the notion that reactive strength is irrelevant in the initial phase of sprinting. These discrepancies highlight the need for greater standardisation in reactive strength assessment and a more nuanced understanding of how specific test modalities align with different sprint phases. Additionally, the cross-sectional nature of this study limits causal inferences, and longitudinal or intervention-based research is needed to confirm whether improvements in RSI directly translate to enhanced sprint performance across different sprint segments. Furthermore, the results cannot be generalised to other population groups, such as elite sprimters. Given the lack of association between reactive strength, as measured by the bilateral 10-5 RJT, and 0-5 m sprint performance, subsequent studies should explore alternative assessments that exhibit greater dynamic correspondence to sprint-specific mechanics. Specifically, unilateral tests that incorporate longer GCTs, larger joint displacements, and a greater emphasis on horizontal force production may provide more valid indicators of performance in the initial steps of sprint acceleration. Moreover, the role of concentric strength and its contribution to propulsion in the early acceleration phase warrants deeper investigation, particularly through the use of task-specific assessments such as loaded sprinting, single-leg jump tasks, or horizontal force profiling. Integrating biomechanical analysis with performance testing may also help to identify the neuromuscular characteristics most predictive of acceleration ability, thereby informing more targeted training interventions. Conceptualisation, C.J.B., E.P.F., T.M.C. and A.J.H. ; methodology, C.J.B., E.P.F., T.M.C. and A.J.H. ; formal analysis, C.J.B. ; investigation, C.J.B. ; data curation, C.J.B., E.P.F. ; writing--original draft preparation, C.J.B. and E.P.F. ; writing--review and editing, C.J.B., E.P.F., T.M.C. and A.J.H. ; visualisation, C.J.B. ; supervision, T.M.C. and A.J.H. ; project administration, T.M.C. and A.J.H. ; funding acquisition, T.M.C., A.J.H. and C.J.B. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript. This research was funded by the Irish Research Council, EPSPG/2015/110. The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, and approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee of the University if Limerick (2016_03_02_EHS). Informed Consent Statement: Informed consent was obtained from all subjects involved in the study.