22 Jan Introducing Force Velocity Profiling: Unlocking Sprint Performance Insights
Transform your athlete training with our new Force-Velocity Profiling feature. STATSports’ latest development includes an innovative feature that streamlines the calculation of Force-Velocity Profile (FVP) metrics. FVP is often incorporated into performance testing sessions and monitored periodically throughout a season, providing critical data to inform training programs.
Within the STATSports Sonra platform, with just a few clicks, coaches and performance staff can now effortlessly obtain key metrics derived from sprint data to make informed decisions on athlete training and practice. This integration eliminates the need for complex manual calculations, providing fast, reliable, and actionable results.
Force-velocity profiling (FVP) is an innovative tool that helps coaches assess athletes’ force and velocity production capabilities during sprinting. By identifying whether an athlete is force- or velocity-deficient, coaches can implement targeted resistance training to reduce these deficiencies and enhance performance. This method offers detailed, objective insights, enabling strength and conditioning programs to be tailored to individual athlete needs.
Importance of Force-Velocity Profiling in Sports
Why Measure Force?
Muscular power—the product of force and velocity (Power = Force × Velocity)—is critical in athletic activities like running and sprinting. Two athletes may produce similar power outputs but have vastly different force and velocity capacities. These differences highlight the importance of independently measuring force and velocity to pinpoint performance limitations. Understanding whether an athlete is biased towards strength (force) or speed (velocity) can guide training strategies to improve performance in tasks such as sprints.
What Is a Force-Velocity Profile?
A force-velocity profile illustrates the relationship between an athlete’s ability to produce force and velocity. By generating this profile, coaches can:
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- Identify deficiencies (force or velocity bias).
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- Set optimal force-velocity targets.
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- Tailor resistance training to address specific weaknesses.
By incorporating FVP metrics into training design, coaches can ensure their programs are data-driven, targeted, and effective for optimising athletic performance.
Below, we outline the key metrics and their practical benefits.
Key Metrics & Training Application
Key Benefits of FVP Metrics
Force-velocity profiling provides both foundational data and actionable insights for coaches and athletes. By leveraging these metrics, training can be tailored with precision to maximise performance.
- Ease of Use and Data-Driven Insights
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- Metrics are calculated directly in Sonra, eliminating manual processes and saving time.
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- Enables scientifically grounded, individualised training programs for athletes.
- Enhanced Decision-Making
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- Quickly identify athlete strengths and deficiencies, such as acceleration issues or top-speed limitations.
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- Develop targeted strategies to improve critical areas like power output, speed, or technical efficiency.
- Targeted Training Interventions
- Force Deficiencies (High v0 but low f0):
- Focus on heavy resistance training to develop strength (e.g., squats, weighted sled sprints).
- Velocity Deficiencies (High f0 but low v0):
- Emphasise speed and velocity development with overspeed training, flying sprints, and stride optimisation.
- Improved Technical Efficiency
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- Use DRF insights to refine sprint mechanics, reducing inefficiencies and ensuring optimal horizontal force application.
- Maximising Power Output
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- Tailor drills to target the 50% force-velocity balance point to achieve peak power production, critical for sprint performance.
Example Training Periodisation for Optimising FVP
Off-Season: Build Foundations
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- Focus on strength (f0) and power (Pmax) through heavy resistance exercises like squats and sled pushes.
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- Include short sprints to improve initial acceleration.
Pre-Season: Develop Speed
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- Shift to velocity-focused drills like flying sprints and overspeed training to enhance max velocity (v0).
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- Longer sprint intervals (e.g., 30-40m) should be emphasised to develop vhmax.
In-Season: Maintain and Optimise
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- Maintain a balance between force and velocity development with mixed training (e.g., loaded and unloaded sprints).
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- Address specific weaknesses identified from FVP metrics to ensure performance consistency.
Overall, a force-velocity profile provides a comprehensive view of an athlete’s physical capabilities and can guide personalised training interventions to optimise performance.
With the simplicity of Sonra’s new feature, coaches can focus less on data processing and more on applying actionable insights to improve athlete and team performance. For more information or assistance, reach out to your STATSports account manager.
