Force-Velocity Profile: Imbalance Determination and Effect on Lower Limb Ballistic Performance

Abstract

This study sought to lend experimental support to the theoretical influence of force-velocity (F-v) mechanical profile on jumping performance independently from the effect of maximal power output (P _max ). 48 high-level athletes (soccer players, sprinters, rugby players) performed maximal squat jumps with additional loads from 0 to 100% of body mass. During each jump, mean force, velocity and power output were obtained using a simple computation method based on flight time, and then used to determine individual linear F-v relationships and P _max values. Actual and optimal F-v profiles were computed for each subject to quantify mechanical F-v imbalance. A multiple regression analysis showed, with a high-adjustment quality (r²=0.931, P<0.001, SEE=0.015 m), significant contributions of P _max , F-v imbalance and lower limb extension range (h _PO ) to explain interindividual differences in jumping performance (P<0.001) with positive regression coefficients for P _max and h _PO and a negative one for F-v imbalance. This experimentally supports that ballistic performance depends, in addition to P _max , on the F–v profile of lower limbs. This adds support to the actual existence of an individual optimal F-v profile that maximizes jumping performance, a F-v imbalance being associated to a lower performance. These results have potential strong applications in the field of strength and conditioning.

Key words

jump - muscle mechanical properties - maximal power output - optimal force-velocity profile - explosive push-off - strength training

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