Sensitivity of the novel two-point force-velocity model: an assessment of leg muscle mechanical capacities

ABSTRACT

The recently proposed two-point force-velocity (F-V) model requires further evaluation in order to develop into a simple tool for muscle mechanical capacities assessment. Therefore, the first aim of this study was to assess the concurrent validity of the proposed model. The second aim of this study was to assess the sensitivity of the proposed model concerning participants of different levels of physical fitness when performing different dynamic tasks. Female elite volleyball players (N = 10; age 22 ± 2 years) and female physical education students (N = 10; age 22 ± 2 years) were tested on maximum countermovement jumps (CMJ) and 6 s maximal cycling sprint (MCS), where manipulation of loads provided a range of F and V data. The assessed F-V relationships were valid in comparison with the standard model. Moreover, the concurrent validity of the maximum force parameter (F₀) was high for MCS (r ≥ 0.89) and moderate to low for CMJ (r = 0.43). Sensitivity analysis revealed significant differences between F₀ in both leg tests (p < 0.04), along with maximum power parameter in CMJ (p = 0.034) between the groups. The proposed model could provide sport practitioners with a straightforward and very effective tool for assessing muscle mechanical capacities.

KEYWORDS:

• F-V relationship
• countermovement jump
• cycling
• power
• volleyball

Acknowledgments

The present study was conducted under the supervision of Professor Slobodan Jaric, who passed away during the writing process of this paper. We wish to thank Professor Jaric for inspiring our past, present, and future research work. Likewise, the authors of this study wish to thank volleyball legend Vladimir Grbic, for his generous help in recruiting a professional volleyball team.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This study was partially supported by the Grant 175037 from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia.