Importance of Instantaneous Power Flashcards
Types of power
Aerobic, anaerobic, instantaneous
Aerobic Power
- Max steady-state rate that an endurance athlete can convert oxygen to mechanical work
- Measured through VO2max test
- Average power involves calculation of oxygen consumed over a finite period of time
Anaerobic Power
- The maximum rate that a sprint athlete can convert Pc/ATP to mechanical work
- Usually measured by a 30 second windgate test
- Average power and involves the calculation of work over a finite period of time
Instantaneous power
- The maximum product of force and velocity that a ballistic athlete can perform
- Usually measured by vertical jump height or other explosive movement task
Impulse
Force-time integral
- The key measure of action as final velocity depends on the preceding force application over time
- more accurate representation of ballistic movements compared to power
What are better predictors of jump height than instantaneous power
- Peak force
- Ratio of negative to positive impulse
- shape of the positive impulse phase
- peak instantaneous power
What are the stages of a counter movement jump
- Quiet stance
- Countermovement (ECC + Con)
- Flight/take off
- Landing
Acceleration Patterns
If two objects start from the same height but one is moving down a steeper slope, that one will accelerate faster, but both will reach the same end velocity
- delayed accelerations lead to higher velocities
- rapid accelerations lead to shorter movement time
- both require same maximum acceleration and force
Training challenges for increasing peak power
- Easier to increase strength at low velocity than at high velocity
- Aerobic and anaerobic power improvements are more achievable than instantaneous power
Training strategies for increasing peak power
- Plyometrics (task specific)
- Stimuli targeting neural strength gains and physiological adaptations
