Abstract
Purpose: Athletes' force-power characteristics influence sled velocity during the skeleton start, which is a crucial determinant of performance. This study characterized force-power profile changes across an 18-month period and investigated the associations between these changes and start performance. Methods: Seven elite- and 5 talent-squad skeleton athletes' (representing 80% of registered athletes in the country) force-power profiles and dry-land push-track performances were assessed at multiple time points over two 6-month training periods and one 5-month competition season. Force-power profiles were evaluated using an incremental leg-press test (Keiser A420), and 15-m sled velocity was recorded using photocells. Results: Across the initial maximum strength development phases, increases in maximum force (Fmax) and decreases in maximum velocity (Vmax) were typically observed. These changes were greater for talent (23.6% and-12.5%, respectively) compared with elite (6.1% and-7.6%, respectively) athletes. Conversely, decreases in Fmax (elite-6.7% and talent-10.3%) and increases in Vmax (elite 8.1% and talent 7.7%) were observed across the winter period, regardless of whether athletes were competing (elite) or accumulating sliding experience (talent).When the training emphasis shifted toward higher-velocity, sprint-based exercises in the second training season, force-power profiles seemed to becomemore velocity oriented (higher Vmax andmore negative force-velocity gradient), which was associated with greater improvements in sled velocity (r = .42 and-.45, respectively). Conclusions: These unique findings demonstrate the scope to influence force-power-generating capabilities in well-trained skeleton athletes across different training phases. To enhance start performance, it seems important to place particular emphasis on increasing maximum muscle-contraction velocity.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 412-419 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance |
| Volume | 13 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Early online date | 5 Sep 2017 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Apr 2018 |
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Keywords
- Athletes
- Ice track
- Leg press
- Neuromuscular adaptation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Cite this
Training-related changes in force-power profiles : Implications for the skeleton start. / Colyer, Steffi L.; Stokes, Keith A.; Bilzon, James L.J.; Holdcroft, Danny; Salo, Aki I.T.
In: International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, Vol. 13, No. 4, 01.04.2018, p. 412-419.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Training-related changes in force-power profiles
T2 - Implications for the skeleton start
AU - Colyer, Steffi L.
AU - Stokes, Keith A.
AU - Bilzon, James L.J.
AU - Holdcroft, Danny
AU - Salo, Aki I.T.
PY - 2018/4/1
Y1 - 2018/4/1
N2 - Purpose: Athletes' force-power characteristics influence sled velocity during the skeleton start, which is a crucial determinant of performance. This study characterized force-power profile changes across an 18-month period and investigated the associations between these changes and start performance. Methods: Seven elite- and 5 talent-squad skeleton athletes' (representing 80% of registered athletes in the country) force-power profiles and dry-land push-track performances were assessed at multiple time points over two 6-month training periods and one 5-month competition season. Force-power profiles were evaluated using an incremental leg-press test (Keiser A420), and 15-m sled velocity was recorded using photocells. Results: Across the initial maximum strength development phases, increases in maximum force (Fmax) and decreases in maximum velocity (Vmax) were typically observed. These changes were greater for talent (23.6% and-12.5%, respectively) compared with elite (6.1% and-7.6%, respectively) athletes. Conversely, decreases in Fmax (elite-6.7% and talent-10.3%) and increases in Vmax (elite 8.1% and talent 7.7%) were observed across the winter period, regardless of whether athletes were competing (elite) or accumulating sliding experience (talent).When the training emphasis shifted toward higher-velocity, sprint-based exercises in the second training season, force-power profiles seemed to becomemore velocity oriented (higher Vmax andmore negative force-velocity gradient), which was associated with greater improvements in sled velocity (r = .42 and-.45, respectively). Conclusions: These unique findings demonstrate the scope to influence force-power-generating capabilities in well-trained skeleton athletes across different training phases. To enhance start performance, it seems important to place particular emphasis on increasing maximum muscle-contraction velocity.
AB - Purpose: Athletes' force-power characteristics influence sled velocity during the skeleton start, which is a crucial determinant of performance. This study characterized force-power profile changes across an 18-month period and investigated the associations between these changes and start performance. Methods: Seven elite- and 5 talent-squad skeleton athletes' (representing 80% of registered athletes in the country) force-power profiles and dry-land push-track performances were assessed at multiple time points over two 6-month training periods and one 5-month competition season. Force-power profiles were evaluated using an incremental leg-press test (Keiser A420), and 15-m sled velocity was recorded using photocells. Results: Across the initial maximum strength development phases, increases in maximum force (Fmax) and decreases in maximum velocity (Vmax) were typically observed. These changes were greater for talent (23.6% and-12.5%, respectively) compared with elite (6.1% and-7.6%, respectively) athletes. Conversely, decreases in Fmax (elite-6.7% and talent-10.3%) and increases in Vmax (elite 8.1% and talent 7.7%) were observed across the winter period, regardless of whether athletes were competing (elite) or accumulating sliding experience (talent).When the training emphasis shifted toward higher-velocity, sprint-based exercises in the second training season, force-power profiles seemed to becomemore velocity oriented (higher Vmax andmore negative force-velocity gradient), which was associated with greater improvements in sled velocity (r = .42 and-.45, respectively). Conclusions: These unique findings demonstrate the scope to influence force-power-generating capabilities in well-trained skeleton athletes across different training phases. To enhance start performance, it seems important to place particular emphasis on increasing maximum muscle-contraction velocity.
KW - Athletes
KW - Ice track
KW - Leg press
KW - Neuromuscular adaptation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85047777482&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1123/ijspp.2017-0110
DO - 10.1123/ijspp.2017-0110
M3 - Article
VL - 13
SP - 412
EP - 419
JO - International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance
JF - International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance
SN - 1555-0265
IS - 4
ER -