Research supports the use of LaunchPad:

Ten Meter Sprint times

Flying Times*

* "Flying time" represent the time elapsed between 5 and 10 meters

Results:

Results show an immediate improvement in sprint times to five and ten meters, with no prior experience with the apparatus. The study supports that the ramp creates a more favorable body position for accelerating. Improvements in the speed were attributed to:
Increased body lean during "set" and "takeoff" phases of the starting action.
Significant increases in stride length during the first three steps from the blocks, while keeping a favorable body angle.
A demand for greater arm action, creating a very aggressive starting action. (Reported by post use participant survey)

Long term use of a ramped platform in training improves performances and reduces injury.

April-May,1999:
STUDY #2:
Training High school track jumpers and sprinters with a ramped platform. Charles Grimes Jr.

To investigate the effects of training with the ramp, Seventy eight high school aged athletes volunteered to train for eight weeks with and without ramped platforms. Participants were randomly assigned into the following groups for observation:

36 athletes to utilize the ramp. 20 in the jumping events, and 16 in the sprint start

36 athletes were to train normally, without utilizing any ramped training aid. 20 in the jumps, 16 in sprinting.

Data was collected on the following training characteristics:
Training volume (number of total starts/practice jumps)
Competition performances (progression of improvement throughout the study)
Previous personal best efforts
Incidence of Injury

Each variable was monitored for eight continuous weeks.

Results:
Graphic representation of group comparisons reveal significant improvements in the ramp group for the long jump, high jump, 100m sprint. While injury occurrence, 200m sprint times, and 400m sprint times were not significantly different.
High Jump- Ramp group improved 1.0 inches more than the non-ramp group.
Long Jump- Ramp group improved a total of 19.75 inches more than non-ramp. 100m- Ramp group improved .27 seconds more than the non-ramp group.

Mean high jump clearances for each group were collected across eight weeks of the season. Ramps were used two days per week for technique training. Each group completed a 50-75 technique jump prescription during each week of observation. Participants (Men and Women) using the ramp for training improved 1.0 inches more than the group training normally.

Mean Long jump distances attained each week were recorded for each group. The ramp was used a total of two days per week for technique, as well as full run training. Each group conducted a 100-120 technique jumps prescription during each week of training. The ramp training improved performance 19.75 inches over normal training improvements.

Mean 100m sprint times for both men and women were collected each week of the season. The ramp was used a total of two days per week for start training. (a mean of 12 starts/week was observed in the Ramp group) Training with the ramp improved 100m sprint times .27 seconds over the normal training effect.

Conclusion:
Continual use of the ramp (8 weeks or more) seems to cause improvements in jumping and sprinting greater than those observed in normal training. Additional study is being completed to identify the optimal training volumes needed to maximize training with the ramp.