Force-velocity Profiling in Sled-resisted Sprint Running: Determining the Optimal Conditions for Maximizing Power

The measurement of power-velocity and force-velocity relationships offers valuable insight into athletic capabilities. The qualities underlying maximum power (i.e. optimal loading conditions) are of particular interest in individualized training prescription and the enhanced development of explosive performance. While research has examined these themes using cycle ergometers and specialized treadmills, the conditions for optimal loading during over-ground sprint running have not been quantified. This thesis aimed to assess whether force-velocitypower relationships and optimal loading conditions could be profiled using a sled-resisted multiple-trial method overground, if these characteristics differentiate between recreational athletes and highly-trained sprinters, and whether conditions for optimal loading could be determined from a single sprint. Consequently, this required understanding of the friction characteristics underlying sled-resisted sprint kinetics. Chapter 3 presents a method of assessing these characteristics by dragging an instrumented sled at varying velocities and masses to find the conversion of normal force to friction force (coefficient of friction). Methods were reliable (intraclass correlation [ICC]>0.99; coefficient of variation [CV]<4.3%) and showed the coefficient of friction was dependent on sled towing velocity, rather than normal load. The ‘coefficient of friction-velocity’ relationship was plotted by a 2nd order polynomial regression (R²=0.999; P<0.001), with the subsequent equation presented for application in sled-resisted sprinting. Chapter 4 implements these findings, using multiple trials (6-7) of sled-resisted sprints to generate individual force-velocity and power-velocity relationships for recreational athletes (N=12) and sprinters (N=15). Data were very well fitted with linear and quadratic equations, respectively (R²=0.977-0.997; P<0.001), with all associated variables reliable (effect size [ES]=0.05-0.50; ICC=0.73-0.97; CV=1.0- 5.4%). The normal loads that maximized power (mean±SD) were 78±6 and 82±8% of bodymass, representing an optimal force of 279±46 and 283±32 N at 4.19±0.19 and 4.90±0.18 m.s-1, for recreational and sprint athletes respectively. Sprinters demonstrated greater absolute and relative maximal power (17.2-26.5%; ES=0.97-2.13; P<0.02; likely), with much greater velocity production (maximum theoretical velocity, 16.8%; ES=3.66; P<0.001; most likely). Optimal force and normal loading did not clearly differentiate between groups (unclear and likely small differences; P>0.05), and sprinters developed maximal power at much higher velocities (16.9%; ES=3.73; P