Effects of Different Loading Types on the Validity and Magnitude of Force-Velocity Relationship Parameters

Goran Jankovic; Danica Janicijevic; Aleksandar Nedeljkovic; Milos R Petrovic; Marko Cosic; Amador Garcia-Ramos

doi:10.1177/19417381231182131

Effects of Different Loading Types on the Validity and Magnitude of Force-Velocity Relationship Parameters

Sports Health. 2023 Jun 21:19417381231182131. doi: 10.1177/19417381231182131. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Goran Jankovic¹, Danica Janicijevic¹, Aleksandar Nedeljkovic¹, Milos R Petrovic¹, Marko Cosic¹, Amador Garcia-Ramos^{2

3}

Affiliations

¹ University of Belgrade, Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, The Research Center, Belgrade, Serbia.
² University of Granada, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Department of Physical Education and Sport, Granada, Spain.
³ Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción, Faculty of Education, Department of Sports Sciences and Physical Conditioning, Concepción, Chile.

PMID: 37345301
DOI: 10.1177/19417381231182131

Abstract

Background: Force-velocity (F-V) relationship models gained popularity as a tool for muscle mechanical assessment. However, it is not clear whether the validity of the F-V relationship parameters (maximal theoretical force [F₀], velocity [V₀] and power [P_max]) is affected using different load types: gravitational (W, rubber bands pulling the barbell downward), inertial (I, rubber bands pulling the barbell, which is equalized to the weight of the added plates upward), and combined (W + I, weight of the plates).

Hypothesis: Load type would affect both the magnitude and validity of F-V relationship parameters. The highest magnitude and validity was expected for F₀ using a W, for V₀ using an I, and for P_max using a W + I load.

Study design: Cross-sectional.

Level of evidence: Level 3.

Methods: A total of 13 resistance-trained men (body mass, 87.7 ± 11.2 kg and body height, 183.9 ± 6.4 cm) performed bench press (BP) throws (BPTs) using 3 types of loads against 30 to 80 kg. The validity of F-V relationship parameters was explored with respect to the tests used traditionally for force (maximal voluntary contraction and 1-repetition maximum [1RM]), velocity (maximal velocity achieved during almost unloaded tasks), and power (BPT against the 50%1RM and medicine ball throws) assessment.

Results: The W + I loading promoted the highest values of F₀ and P_max, while the highest magnitude of V₀ was promoted by the I loading. The validity was acceptable for F₀ obtained using the 3 loading conditions with respect to the BP 1RM (r range, 0.30-0.83), and V₀ obtained using the I loading with respect to the stick throw (r = 0.54).

Conclusion: The magnitude of the F-V relationship parameters is affected by load type, but their validity with respect to standardized tests is comparable, with the exception of the higher validity of V₀ when obtained using the I loading.

Clinical relevance: Any load type can be used for assessing F₀, while I load should be selected when assessing V₀.

Keywords: bench press throw; force; power; strength test; velocity.