Velocity Loss Thresholds Reliably Control Kinetic and Kinematic Outputs during Free Weight Resistance Training.

Madison Pearson,Jonathon Weakley,Matthew Morrison,Amador García-Ramos,Carlos Ramirez-Lopez,Nicholas Dalton-Barron

doi:10.3390/ijerph17186509

Abstract

Exercise velocity and relative velocity loss thresholds (VLTs) are commonly used in velocity-based resistance training. This study aims to quantify the between-day reliability of 10%, 20%, and 30% VLTs on kinetic and kinematic outputs, changes in external load, and repetition characteristics in well-trained athletes. Using a repeated, counter-balanced crossover design, twelve semi-professional athletes completed five sets of the back squat with an external load corresponding to a mean concentric velocity of ~0.70 m·s−1 and a VLT applied. The testing sessions were repeated after four weeks of unstructured training to assess the long-term reliability of each VLT. A coefficient of variation (CV) <10% was used to classify outputs as reliable. Kinetic and kinematic outputs and external load were largely reliable, with only peak power during sets 2–5 within the 10% VLT condition demonstrating a CV >10% (CV: 11.14–14.92%). Alternatively, the repetitions completed within each set showed large variation (CV: 18.92–67.49%). These findings demonstrate that by utilizing VLTs, kinetic and kinematic outputs can be prescribed and replicated across training mesocycles. Thus, for practitioners wishing to reliably control the kinetic and kinematic stimulus that is being applied to their athletes, it is advised that a velocity-based approach is used.

Highlights

Velocity based training is a method of resistance training that supports the appropriate prescription of exercise intensity and volume [1,2,3,4]
Relative velocity loss thresholds (VLTs) conditions are presented in Table 1, Table 2, and Table 3, respectively
The number of repetitions were highly variable within conditions (CV: 18.92–67.49%). These findings demonstrate that VLTs allow for reliable prescription of kinetic and kinematic outputs within well-trained athletes

Summary

Introduction

Velocity based training is a method of resistance training that supports the appropriate prescription of exercise intensity and volume [1,2,3,4]. The mean concentric velocity of the first repetition of a set can be used to prescribe the external load (i.e., training intensity), due to the near perfect inverse relationship between movement velocity and the relative load (i.e., % of the 1-repetition maximum (1RM) [4,5,6,7,8,9]. Velocity loss thresholds (VLTs) can be implemented to support the prescription of training volumes, with differing VLTs inducing varying physical and physiological adaptations [2]. Pareja-Blanco et al demonstrated that a 20% VLT promotes greater strength and power adaptations. Public Health 2020, 17, 6509; doi:10.3390/ijerph17186509 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph

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Conclusion