How Sensor Data Can Guide Intensity in Resistance Training Procedures

Abstract

Resistance training constitutes a crucial element in the athletic training regimen for augmenting performance abilities or preventing injuries. Conventionally, resistance training programs are designed by prescribing relative intensities as a percentage of the individual’s one-repetition maximum for a predetermined number of sets and repetitions. However, this traditional approach fails to account for daily fluctuations in the athlete’s strength capabilities, which can impede optimal adaptations. The velocity-based resistance training methodology is considered a promising approach, as it considers these fluctuations within and between sessions. This approach is grounded on the principle that a direct linear correlation exists between the weight lifted and the maximum velocity achieved during the exercise. In the past decade or so, technological advancements have led to the development of several portable devices that measure the velocity of the lifted weight, such as barbells, during each repetition of the set and offer immediate feedback to the athlete. The primary objective of this chapter is twofold: (i) to elucidate the theoretical framework that underpins velocity-based training and (ii) to demonstrate its applicability in resistance training regimens. Additionally, the chapter will critically evaluate the existing literature regarding the effectiveness of this specialized form of resistance training. Given the emergence of several velocity-based training devices that employ varying technologies to measure lifting velocity over the past decade, this chapter will conclude by providing an overview of these technologies and assessing their practical utility through an examination of the current research on their reliability and validity.