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Int J Sports Med 2014; 35(06): 505-510
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1354382
Training & Testing
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

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

P. Samozino
1   Laboratory of Exercise Physiology (EA4338), University of Savoie, Le Bourget du Lac, France
,
P. Edouard
2   Department of Clinical and Exercise Physiology, Sports Medicine Unity, University-Hospital of Saint-Etienne, France
3   Laboratory of Exercise Physiology (EA4338), University of Lyon, Saint Etienne, France
,
S. Sangnier
4   Centre d’Etude des Transformations des Activités Physiques et Sportives (EA 3832), University of Rouen, France
5   Association Sportive de Saint-Etienne, France
,
M. Brughelli
6   Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand, AUT University, ­Auckland, New Zealand
,
P. Gimenez
3   Laboratory of Exercise Physiology (EA4338), University of Lyon, Saint Etienne, France
,
J.-B. Morin
3   Laboratory of Exercise Physiology (EA4338), University of Lyon, Saint Etienne, France
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted after revision 02 August 2013

Publication Date:
13 November 2013 (online)

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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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