Reliability of force-velocity relationships during deadlift high pull

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the within- and between-session reliability of force, velocity and power performances and to assess the force-velocity relationship during the deadlift high pull (DHP). Nine participants performed two identical sessions of DHP with loads ranging from 30 to 70% of body mass. The force was measured by a force plate under the participants’ feet. The velocity of the ‘body + lifted mass’ system was calculated by integrating the acceleration and the power was calculated as the product of force and velocity. The force-velocity relationships were obtained from linear regression of both mean and peak values of force and velocity. The within- and between-session reliability was evaluated by using coefficients of variation (CV) and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Results showed that DHP force-velocity relationships were significantly linear (R² > 0.90, p < 0.05). Within sessions and between sessions, mean and peak forces during DHP showed a strong agreement (CV < 3%, ICC > 0.94), mean and peak velocities showed a good agreement (CV < 9%, 0.78 < ICC < 0.92). It was concluded that DHP performance and its force-velocity relationships are highly reliable and can therefore be utilised as a tool to characterise individuals’ muscular profiles.

Keywords:

• Within- and between-session
• reproducibility
• ballistic movement
• power
• performance

Acknowledgements

The authors thank all participants who volunteered in this study. Authors also thank the first author’s PhD thesis monitoring committee members for their helpful discussions.