Published in:
01-08-2015 | Original Article
Evaluation of force–velocity and power–velocity relationship of arm muscles
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 8/2015
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Purpose
A number of recent studies have revealed an approximately linear force–velocity (F–V) and, consequently, a parabolic power–velocity (P–V) relationship of multi-joint tasks. However, the measurement characteristics of their parameters have been neglected, particularly those regarding arm muscles, which could be a problem for using the linear F–V model in both research and routine testing. Therefore, the aims of the present study were to evaluate the strength, shape, reliability, and concurrent validity of the F–V relationship of arm muscles.
Methods
Twelve healthy participants performed maximum bench press throws against loads ranging from 20 to 70 % of their maximum strength, and linear regression model was applied on the obtained range of F and V data. One-repetition maximum bench press and medicine ball throw tests were also conducted.
Results
The observed individual F–V relationships were exceptionally strong (r = 0.96–0.99; all P < 0.05) and fairly linear, although it remains unresolved whether a polynomial fit could provide even stronger relationships. The reliability of parameters obtained from the linear F–V regressions proved to be mainly high (ICC > 0.80), while their concurrent validity regarding directly measured F, P, and V ranged from high (for maximum F) to medium-to-low (for maximum P and V).
Conclusions
The findings add to the evidence that the linear F–V and, consequently, parabolic P–V models could be used to study the mechanical properties of muscular systems, as well as to design a relatively simple, reliable, and ecologically valid routine test of the muscle ability of force, power, and velocity production.