Sensitivity of the iLOAD® Application for Monitoring Changes in Barbell Velocity Following Power- and Strength-Oriented Resistance Training Programs.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the sensitivity of the iLOAD® application to detect the changes in mean barbell velocity of complete sets following power- and strength-oriented resistance training (RT) programs.

METHODS

Twenty men were randomly assigned to a power training group (countermovement jump and bench press throw at 40% of the 1-repetition maximum [1RM]) or strength training group (back squat and bench press at 70% to 90% of 1RM). Single sets of 10 repetitions at 25% and 70% of 1RM during the back squat and bench press exercises were assessed before and after the 4-week RT programs simultaneously with the iLOAD® application and a linear velocity transducer.

RESULTS

The power training group showed a greater increment in velocity performance at the 25% of 1RM (effect size range = 0.66-1.53) and the 70% of 1RM (effect size range = 0.11-0.30). The percent change in mean velocity after the RT programs highly correlated between the iLOAD® application and the linear velocity transducer for the back squat (r range = .85-.88) and bench press (r range = .87-.93). However, the iLOAD® application revealed a 2% greater increase in mean velocity after training compared to the linear velocity transducer.

CONCLUSIONS

The iLOAD® application is a cost-effective, portable, and easy-to-use tool which can be used to detect changes in mean barbell velocity after power- and strength-oriented RT programs.