How velocity feedback impacts motivation, athlete engagement, and training adherence

Several variables should be manipulated to prescribe resistance training (RT) programs, such as intensity, volume, frequency, set configuration, type of exercise, rest time, or repetition velocity (Bird et al., 2005). Focusing on repetition velocity, it has been established that performing repetitions with maximal intentional velocity enhances strength-derived adaptations after an RT intervention compared to performing repetitions at half-maximal intentional velocity (Pareja-Blanco et al., 2014). From a practical point of view, this means that during each repetition, athletes should apply the maximum force they can, resulting in achieving the highest velocity values in each repetition. Therefore, focusing on intentionality and movement velocity within RT protocols should attract the attention of coaches and practitioners, aiming to provide athletes with the tools to perform at maximal intentional velocity. 

In this regard, the use of velocity parameters, such as feedback, could impact motivation during the RT session and, as a consequence, help athletes perform repetitions with maximal intentional velocity. During the following situation, the use of velocity as a feedback could be applied practically:

• During a training session, based on personal experience, simply providing information about the velocity value an athlete reaches after each repetition helps them perform the following repetition by applying the maximal force. Typically, if the athlete lacks significant experience, it is common to observe that the second or even third repetition is faster than the first one. This highlights a situation where using velocity as feedback could enhance performance during the training session.
• Before starting the session, knowing the records achieved in the previous session regarding velocity values against different loads could help the athlete perform at their best to surpass the values from the previous day. For example, if the best repetition in one session was 1.00 m/s with 60 kg, and in the following session they train with the same absolute load, athletes will typically try to exceed the previous velocity values. This can help them apply maximal force and enhance their motivation.
• Lastly, simply training with a linear encoder could help increase an athlete’s motivation, particularly due to the use of novel methods to enhance their training sessions. This is especially true for novices with this approach, as the implementation of a linear encoder can boost motivation and improve the quality of prescribed RT sessions.

More on this topic:

Benefits of Resistance resistance training

Regarding athlete engagement within the velocity-based training (VBT) approach, it is important to emphasize that athletes should begin with a familiarization process to: a) become accustomed to training while knowing the velocity values achieved in each repetition and understanding how this information can be used to enhance performance; b) be aware of the presence of a device connected to the barbell, ensuring proper handling without compromising their ability to apply force during each repetition; and c) recognize that their performance for each repetition will be recorded. This familiarization ensures that athletes do not lose focus or repetitions during the training session, maintaining their attention throughout the entire training set. After that, the engagement with this approach will go in relation to the following aspect:

• As athletes become accustomed to training with this approach, they will integrate the device into their daily routine. In this context, it is important to involve them in the process of analyzing data from their daily performance and keep them informed about load adjustments, performance improvements, and program variations. Knowledge is power, and the information derived from the linear encoder can help increase an athlete’s engagement by providing a clear understanding of the purpose behind this approach.
• Likewise, the strengths of this approach should be demonstrated to the athletes every day. They should understand that with these methods, the training dose will be controlled effectively. It is well known that relative load and induced fatigue can be effectively controlled through velocity (Gonzalez-Badillo & Sanchez-Medina, 2010; Sanchez-Medina & Gonzalez-Badillo, 2011). If the training variables are well prescribed, this approach will allow coaches to ensure that the athlete receives the prescribed stimulus. For that reason, if athletes perceive that this approach could enhance the training process, their engagement and the use of the encoder during training sessions will increase.

Moreover, the use of velocity measurements can also help increase training adherence. In this regard, and complementing the information described above this section, athletes could become accustomed to using the encoder during their RT sessions if they perceive the load and velocity feedback as a challenge. Motivation will increase, and the challenge of improving velocity against a given load (as long as they understand that this phenomenon reflects improved performance) will encourage athletes to incorporate VBT into their training process. Furthermore, another way to approach the challenge is by perceiving that each day, athletes have the opportunity to be better than the day before. Athletes tend to be highly competitive, and if they have access to the information, they strive to outperform others and, most importantly, themselves. Adherence to this approach will increase if athletes perceive the velocity measurements as a continuous competition against their initial performance. The use of velocity measurements not only to control RT training sessions but also to evaluate performance before and after an RT cycle could be considered another key factor in increasing adherence during the RT process. As previously described, knowledge is power. If athletes have information about performance changes after an RT cycle and throughout the entire year (before major competitions, before and after the preseason period, etc.), adherence will increase because they will see the application of this approach in evaluating performance.

To sum up, the use of velocity during RT is crucial for improving athlete motivation and performance. By focusing on maximum intentional velocity in each repetition, athletes can enhance strength adaptations. Besides, velocity feedback during repetitions can increase motivation and performance, whether by providing real-time data, comparing current results with previous sessions, or for novels, the simple use of the linear encoder as a new approach could help to increase it. Familiarizing athletes with this approach and continuously monitoring performance data boosts training adherence. Athletes tend to be competitive, so having access to performance information motivates them to surpass their records and improve continuously. Lastly, the implementation of velocity measurements not only helps to control load and fatigue but also promotes adherence to the training process, especially when perceived as a constant challenge and a tool for evaluating progress over time.

More on this topic:

Difference Between Rotary and Linear Encoders

References

Bird, S. P., Tarpenning, K. M., & Marino, F. E. (2005). Designing resistance training programs to enhance muscular fitness: a review of the acute program variables. Sports Med, 35(10), 841-851. https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200535100-00002 

Gonzalez-Badillo, J. J., & Sanchez-Medina, L. (2010). Movement velocity as a measure of loading intensity in resistance training. Int J Sports Med, 31(5), 347-352. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0030-1248333 

Pareja-Blanco, F., Rodriguez-Rosell, D., Sanchez-Medina, L., Gorostiaga, E. M., & Gonzalez-Badillo, J. J. (2014). Effect of movement velocity during resistance training on neuromuscular performance. Int J Sports Med, 35(11), 916-924. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0033-1363985 Sanchez-Medina, L., & Gonzalez-Badillo, J. J. (2011). Velocity loss as an indicator of neuromuscular fatigue during resistance training. Med Sci Sports Exerc, 43(9), 1725-1734. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b013e318213f880