The Reliability of Individualized Load-Velocity Profiles

Abstract

Purpose: To examine the reliability of peak velocity (PV), mean propulsive velocity (MPV), and mean velocity (MV) in the development of load-velocity profiles (LVP) in the full-depth free-weight back squat performed with maximal concentric effort.

Methods: Eighteen resistance-trained men performed a baseline 1-repetition maximum (1-RM) back-squat trial and 3 subsequent 1-RM trials used for reliability analyses, with 48-h intervals between trials. 1-RM trials comprised lifts from 6 relative loads including 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, 90%, and 100% 1-RM. Individualized LVPs for PV, MPV, or MV were derived from loads that were highly reliable based on the following criteria: intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) >.70, coefficient of variation (CV) ≤10%, and Cohen d effect size (ES) <0.60.

Results: PV was highly reliable at all 6 loads. MPV and MV were highly reliable at 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 90% but not 100% 1-RM (MPV: ICC = .66, CV = 18.0%, ES = 0.10, SEM = 0.04 m·s^-1; MV: ICC = .55, CV = 19.4%, ES = 0.08, SEM = 0.04 m·s^-1). When considering the reliable ranges, almost perfect correlations were observed for LVPs derived from PV_20-100% (r = .91-.93), MPV_20-90% (r = .92-.94), and MV_20-90% (r = .94-.95). Furthermore, the LVPs were not significantly different (P > .05) between trials or movement velocities or between linear regression versus 2nd-order polynomial fits.

Conclusions: PV_20-100%, MPV_20-90%, and MV_20-90% are reliable and can be utilized to develop LVPs using linear regression. Conceptually, LVPs can be used to monitor changes in movement velocity and employed as a method for adjusting sessional training loads according to daily readiness.

Keywords: back squat; mean propulsive velocity; mean velocity; peak velocity; velocity-based training.