Force velocity profiling for athletes

Abstract

The concept of force-velocity (FV) profiling is inspired by the fundamental properties of skeletal muscles, where there is an inverse relationship between force and velocity. The measurement of force and the corresponding velocity during varying loads have been conducted since the start of the 20th century. Due to rapid advances in technology, devices that can measure forces and velocities in a variety of movements have increased rapidly in recent years. As a result, FV profiling has gained popularity among coaches, athletes, and scientists as a tool for performance assessment and individualized training prescriptions.

The purpose of this Ph.D. thesis was to investigate the use of forcevelocity profiling as a tool for performance assessment and individualized training prescriptions in athletes. To achieve this aim, three experimental studies were conducted, each addressing a specific research question. Study I aimed to assess the reliability and agreement of commonly used measurement equipment for evaluating force-velocity profiles in well-trained and elite athletes. Study II investigated the effectiveness of an individualized training approach based on FV-profiling on jumping performance in well-trained athletes. Lastly, Study III aimed to investigate whether a placebo effect is present when participants are told they are receiving "optimal training" compared to "control training." The hypothesis was that FV-variables obtained from different measurement equipment would not be consistent, and the reliability would depend on the equipment and procedures used. The thesis also hypothesized that individualized training based on FV-profiling would lead to greater improvements in jump height compared to traditional power training. Additionally, a placebo effect was anticipated when participants were informed, they were receiving "optimal training."