Leg extension force-velocity imbalance has negative impact on sprint performance in ball-game players

Ballistic actions are imperative in sports where performance depends on power production across a relevant range of contraction- and movement velocities. Force-velocity-power ((FvP) over bar) profiling provides information regarding neuromuscular capabilities and vertical performances, but knowledge regarding its associative value towards horizontal movements is scarce. Therefore, we conducted (FvP) over bar profiling and analysed associations with uni- and multidirectional ballistic performance tasks in 27 international- to national-level athletes (18.9 +/- 2.6 years, 182.9 +/- 7.1 cm and 79.2 +/- 11.9 kg). Low to moderate correlations were observed between theoretical maximal power ((P) over bar max) and horizontal acceleration (R = -0.43), speed (R = -0.64), sprint (R = -0.60) and agility (R = -0.59) performances. Force-velocity imbalance (Fv(IMB)) significantly (P <= 0.05) strengthened the correlations towards sprinting ability (from -0.60 to -0.74) and agility (from -0.59 to -0.68), however, both correlations remaining weaker than for jumping performances (R = 0.78-0.86). In conclusion,FvP?profiling provides information of importance for horizontal and vertical performances with a significant positive effect of (P) over bar max, but negative effect of Fv(IMB). Assessment of lower-extremity neuromuscular capabilities through (FvP) over bar profiling and associated development of training programmes targeting compensation of either force- or velocity deficit may benefit the ability to utilise a given power potential.