Force-Velocity Curve

The article explains what the force-velocity curve is and how to shift it.

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By Owen Walker
29 Jan 2016 | 5 min read

Contents of Article

Summary
What is the Force-Velocity Curve?
Practical Application
The Training Zones (Sections of the Force-Velocity Curve)
Conclusion
References
About the Author
Comments

Summary

The force-velocity curve is a physical representation of the inverse relationship between force and velocity. Understanding the interaction between force and velocity and their influences on exercise selection is vital for any strength and conditioning professional. For example, it is essential that a strength and conditioning coach understands the physiological and biomechanical differences between prescribing a 1RM deadlift and 5RM jump squats – as one will produce higher forces and lower velocities than the other. Failure to understand the relationship and its importance will likely lead to less than optimal training prescription.

What is the Force-Velocity Curve?

Though the force-velocity curve may appear confusing and complicated, it is actually very straight-forward. The force-velocity curve is simply a relationship between force and velocity and can, therefore, be displayed on an x-y graph (Figure 1). The x-axis (i.e. horizontal axis) indicates velocity, for example, this may represent muscle contraction velocity, or velocity of movement (measured in meters per second). Whilst the y-axis (i.e. vertical axis) indicates force, for example, this may represent muscle contractile force, or the amount of ground reaction force produced (measured in Newtons).

The curve itself shows an inverse relationship between force and velocity, meaning that an increase in force would cause a decrease in velocity and vice versa. Giving an example, a one repetition maximum (1RM) Back Squat would produce high levels of force but would be lifted at a slow velocity. While a countermovement jump (CMJ) would produce a high movement velocity, it would also only produce low-levels of force. This indicates that there is a trade-off between force and velocity. That being, when an exercise produces high levels of force, it will also produce a slow movement velocity and vice versa.

This trade-off between force and velocity is thought to occur due to a decrease in the time available for cross bridges to be formed – more time, equals more cross bridges, and more cross bridges mean a greater contractile force (1). Therefore, slower velocity exercises allow the athlete to form more cross bridges and develop more force. Higher velocity exercises provide less time for cross bridges to form, and therefore results in lower force production. As a result, different exercises and intensities have been categorised into various segments on the force-velocity curve (Figure 1). In addition, Table 1 demonstrates the force and velocity differences between numerous exercises. Here try and note the force and velocity differences between the same exercises at various intensities.

Practical Application

As power is a key determinant in the performances of many sports, optimising an athlete’s power production is of great importance (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12). Because power is the product of force multiplied by velocity (Power = Force * Velocity), improving either of these components can lead to increased power production and therefore the explosiveness of the athlete. In most circumstances, the primary objective of strength and power training is to shift the force-velocity curve to the right (Figure 2), resulting in the athlete being able to move larger loads at higher velocities and therefore becoming more explosive. Shifting the force-velocity curve to the right represents an improved rate of force development (RFD). The RFD simply reflects how fast an athlete can develop force. An athlete with greater RFD capabilities will be more explosive as they can develop larger forces in a shorter period of time.

By only training on one part of the force-velocity curve (e.g. maximum strength), it is likely that the athlete will only improve their performance at that section on the paradigm (Figure 3). For example, only training maximal strength may lead to improvements in force production, but it may also result in a reduction in muscle contractile velocity. As training programmes which combine strength and power training have been repeatedly shown to improve athletic performance more than strength or speed training alone (13), there is no surprise that most strength and conditioning coaches commonly use an all-rounded approach within their programming.

Although most athletes should typically train at each section along the force-velocity curve, the time spent at each zone is dependent on many factors. Some primary considerations include:

Training age
Individuals strengths and weaknesses
Training objectives
The sport and position of the athlete
Time of year/ season/ stage of the macrocycle

Therefore all parts of the force-velocity curve should typically be trained in order to maximise the explosiveness of the athlete. With that being said, there is often great debate between training multiple components of the force-velocity curve during one microcycle, or whether it is more effective to segregate it into separate blocks. Though this is an important topic, it is inherently tied to training periodisation and is too broad for the scope of this article.

The Training Zones (Sections of the Force-Velocity Curve)

These zones are classified by the percentage of maximal strength or velocity an athlete can produce. For instance, if an athlete’s maximal force production during a Back Squat 1RM is 3000N, then this would typically represent 100% of their maximal strength capacity, and therefore appear at the apex of the concentric-only force curve (Figure 4). The force percentage then works its way down the curve until it reaches the maximal velocity where little force is produced. Likewise, the maximal velocity represents ≥100% of the athlete’s maximal velocity of movement and appears at the apex of the velocity curve (Figure 4).

Maximal Strength

Maximal strength is simply the maximum amount of force someone is able to produce through a specific movement. For example, a 1RM Back Squat would represent the maximum amount of force an athlete can produce during that particular exercise. Therefore, this training zone is typically classified by using intensities of approximately >90% of 1RM.

Exercise examples include: Back Squat, Deadlift, and Bench Press @ 90-100% of 1RM, or any other exercise using this range of intensity.

Strength-Speed

This is a classification for exercises that are not deemed to deliver peak power output, nor peak force, so it sits in a so called ‘middle-ground’ between maximal strength and peak power. As relatively high intensities are used within this zone (80-90% of 1RM), it leans more towards strength rather than speed – hence the ‘strength’-speed. The strength-speed zone requires an athlete to produce optimal force in a shorter timeframe than the maximal strength zone, and as discussed earlier, this reduces the amount of force that can be produced. Therefore, whilst the strength-speed zone may produce lower peak forces than the maximal strength zone, it is able to achieve higher movement velocities.

Example exercises include: Olympic lifts (i.e. Snatch, Clean & Jerk, Snatch Press @ 80-100% of 1RM).

Peak Power

This is a classification zone for exercises deemed to deliver peak power output. These exercises typically produce the greatest amount of force in the least amount of time. Essentially, power sits in the middle of strength-speed and speed-strength producing the optimal amount force in the shortest time timeframe possible (30-80% of 1RM).

Example exercises include: Second pull variations of the Clean and Snatch, Jump Squats, and Bench Press Throw @ 30-80% of 1RM.

Speed-Strength

Similar to strength-speed, this zone does not deliver peak power, nor peak velocity, so it sits in a ‘middle-ground’ between maximal velocity and peak power. Peak force would be expected to be even lower here compared to strength-speed due to the greater restriction on time available; however, movement velocities will be higher. As relatively high velocities are used within this zone (30-60% of 1RM), it leans more towards speed rather than strength – hence the ‘speed’-strength.

Example exercises include: Slow stretch-shortening plyometric drills such as: countermovement jumps, and single-leg high hurdle jumps. Light-loaded Jump Squats (30-60% of 1RM).

Maximal Velocity

Maximal velocity is simply the maximum movement velocity, or muscle contractile velocity an athlete is able to produce through a specific movement. For example, a 100m Sprint may represent the maximum movement velocity an athlete can produce during that particular exercise. Whereas, assisted sprinting, otherwise known as ‘supramaximal sprinting’ can produce ≥ 100% movement velocities. Therefore, this training zone is typically classified by using intensities of approximately < 30% of 1RM.

Exercise examples include: Fast stretch-shortening plyometric drills such as: hopping, bounding, sprinting and assisted sprinting.

These different training zones are merely guidelines to various intensities and can be manipulated to fit the athlete in hand. They have been developed by exercise professionals for educational purposes in order to demonstrate the effects of different exercises and intensities on athletic performance. However, each training zone, or section of the force-velocity curve, will provide different physiological adaptations, and therefore may have its own benefit for the athlete. For example, if an athlete is very strong (i.e. has a high 1RM), but performs poorly during speed tests (e.g. 20m sprint test), then spending time at the maximal velocity and speed-strength zones may be of great benefit for the athlete.

Conclusion

The force-velocity curve demonstrates a simple inverse relationship between force and velocity – meaning an increase in one results in a concurrent decrease in the other. This has strong implications for planning a training programme and should be thoroughly considered when doing so. If an athlete lacks strength but is extremely fast, then perhaps more time should be spent training at higher force intensities to improve their strength capacity. The objective in most athletic training programmes is to improve the athlete’s RFD (i.e. explosiveness), resulting in a rightward shift in the force-velocity curve. Understanding the force-velocity curve is paramount to working as a strength and conditioning specialist, and explicit understanding is essential to becoming a great coach.

What now?

Some coaches believe that reading one article will make them an expert on strength and conditioning. Here’s why they’re wrong…

Strength and conditioning entails many, many topics. By choosing to simply read up on The Force-Velocity Curve and ignore the sea of other crucial S&C topics, you run the risk of being detrimental to your athlete’s success and not realising your full potential.

To make you an expert coach and make your life as easy as possible, we highly suggest you now check out this article on Force-Velocity Profiling.

References

Reference List (click here to open)

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Swinton, PA, Stewart, AD, Keogh, JWL, Agouris, I, and Lloyd, R. Kinematic and kinetic analysis of maximal velocity deadlifts performed with and without the inclusion of chain resistance. J Strength Cond Res 25(11): 3163–3174, 2011 [PubMed]

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About the Author

Owen Walker

Owen Walker MSc CSCS
Founder and Director of Science for Sport

Owen is the founder and director of Science for Sport. He was formerly the Head of Academy Sports Science and Strength & Conditioning at Cardiff City Football Club, and an interim Sports Scientist for the Welsh FA. He also has a master’s degree in strength and conditioning and is a NSCA certified strength and conditioning coach.