Investigating force-velocity and acceleration-speed profiling in elite football

Stockdale, Robert and Barry, Timothy and Gaffney, Christopher and Jarvis, Hannah (2024) Investigating force-velocity and acceleration-speed profiling in elite football. Masters thesis, Lancaster University.

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Abstract

Force-velocity profiling is becoming more common in elite football environments, to assess sprint acceleration performance and mitigate hamstring muscle injury (HMI) risk. Accelerationspeed profiling has recently been introduced as an alternative to force-velocity profiling, but there is limited research exploring the interchangeability of the two approaches. It is critical that profiling methods are valid and reliable to assess and monitor elite football players’ individual force-velocity or acceleration-speed profiles, to help practitioners orient training and rehabilitation programmes, indicate and mitigate injury risk, and improve sprint acceleration and overall football performance. The aim of the project is to investigate force-velocity and acceleration-speed profiles in elite football, including an examination of the validity and reliability of current profiling devices, to provide insight into elite footballers’ sprint mechanical capabilities and anecdotal evidence pertaining to prospective HMI risk within this population.