Explosive Athlete Development: Velocity Based Training

To keep pace with the tremendous amount of new information emerging every month in the Velocity Based Training (VBT) space, this updated edition of "Developing Explosive Athletes" has been revised to align with the latest research. In addition to the previous content, this edition addresses topics such as velocity loss, different VBT technologies, force-velocity profiling, and individual load-velocity profiling.

Let's start with velocity loss, a versatile VBT tool that enables you to determine the desired level of fatigue for the athlete. The amount of fatigue accrued will drive the adaptations. For instance, if the coach aims to minimize fatigue while still training heavily, a minimal velocity loss (10%) can be implemented, providing a stimulus without overburdening the system and preventing resistance training from requiring excessive energy for recovery. Conversely, if an athlete needs to increase muscle mass appreciably, a larger velocity loss (40%) would be utilized to maximize hypertrophy. This concept and much more are explored in depth within the velocity loss section.

The text also covers the various technologies available for VBT. There are numerous devices capable of measuring barbell velocity, and it can be challenging for someone to understand their functionalities and how they derive velocity. When selecting the appropriate technology, conducting a cost-benefit analysis while understanding the pros and cons of different devices allows you to make the best-informed decision.

Force-velocity profiling is another topic addressed, where the power calculation is broken down into its force and velocity components. By understanding how the athlete develops power through force and velocity, more informed decisions can be made regarding the guidance of their training. In the force-velocity profiling section, we also discuss strategies for enhancing the athlete's power to the greatest extent.

Finally, this text delves into individual load-velocity profiling for the first time. Relying on averages, zone-based approaches often fail to account for the fact that not a single individual may possess the mean value. As strength coaches trend towards working with smaller groups to maintain a more favorable coach-to-athlete ratio, the increased understanding and utilization of velocity can enable the coach to examine the individual load-velocity relationship rather than the group mean. This may lead to greater increases in each athlete's adaptations for speed and power.

This update has been five years in the making, and we are excited to bring you a concise, easy-to-understand text with all the latest research. We hope you find this book informative and enjoyable.

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