Power Training Methods Across the Load-Velocity Continuum: Mechanisms, Applications, and Periodization.
5 affiliations
- 1CIDEFES, Faculdade de Educação Física e Desporto, Lusófona University, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal.
- 2FADEUP, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal.
- 3Sport and Physical Activity Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Collegiate Crescent, Sheffield S10 2BP, UK.
- 4Performance and Sport Rehabilitation Laboratory, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avda. Carlos III s/n, 45071 Toledo, Spain.
- 5ICPOL Research Center, Higher Institute of Police Sciences and Internal Security, 1300-352 Lisbon, Portugal.
Abstract
Muscular power is a critical determinant of athletic performance. Despite the wide range of resistance training methods proposed to enhance power, uncertainty remains regarding their physiological rationale, practical applications, and optimal integration within long-term training programs. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on the principal resistance training methods for muscular power development and provides an evidence-informed framework for exercise selection and periodized programming. A structured literature search was conducted using PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Scopus, complemented by additional sources and reference screening. Seventeen studies were retained for the evidence mapping, while systematic reviews, meta-analyses, position stands, and narrative reviews were used to provide conceptual background and contextual interpretation. No formal study-level methodological quality appraisal was performed; therefore, the findings were interpreted as an evidence-informed narrative synthesis rather than an evidence-graded assessment of training-method effectiveness. Current evidence indicates that different resistance training methods target specific regions of the load-velocity continuum through distinct neuromuscular adaptations. Heavy resistance training primarily enhances maximal force production, whereas ballistic training, Olympic weightlifting derivatives, velocity-based training, optimal power load, cluster sets, variable resistance, isometric training, eccentric overload, complex-contrast training, and triphasic training provide complementary stimuli for optimizing muscular power through different approaches. Overall, the evidence supports integrating complementary resistance training methods within a periodized program tailored to the athlete's training status, sport-specific demands, and competitive calendar to maximize power development.
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BibTeX
@article{pinto2026power,
title = {{Power Training Methods Across the Load-Velocity Continuum: Mechanisms, Applications, and Periodization.}},
author = {Manuel Pinto and João Crisóstomo and Robson Silva and Christopher Kirk and Javier Abián-Vicén and Luís Monteiro},
journal = {Sports (Basel, Switzerland)},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/sports14100464},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42931601},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Power Training Methods Across the Load-Velocity Continuum: Mechanisms, Applications, and Periodization.
AU - Manuel Pinto
AU - João Crisóstomo
AU - Robson Silva
AU - Christopher Kirk
AU - Javier Abián-Vicén
AU - Luís Monteiro
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/20
JO - Sports (Basel, Switzerland)
DO - 10.3390/sports14100464
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42931601
AB - Muscular power is a critical determinant of athletic performance. Despite the wide range of resistance training methods proposed to enhance power, uncertainty remains regarding their physiological rationale, practical applications, and optimal integration within long-term training programs. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on the principal resistance training methods for muscular power development and provides an evidence-informed framework for exercise selection and periodized programming. A structured literature search was conducted using PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Scopus, complemented by additional sources and reference screening. Seventeen studies were retained for the evidence mapping, while systematic reviews, meta-analyses, position stands, and narrative reviews were used to provide conceptual background and contextual interpretation. No formal study-level methodological quality appraisal was performed; therefore, the findings were interpreted as an evidence-informed narrative synthesis rather than an evidence-graded assessment of training-method effectiveness. Current evidence indicates that different resistance training methods target specific regions of the load-velocity continuum through distinct neuromuscular adaptations. Heavy resistance training primarily enhances maximal force production, whereas ballistic training, Olympic weightlifting derivatives, velocity-based training, optimal power load, cluster sets, variable resistance, isometric training, eccentric overload, complex-contrast training, and triphasic training provide complementary stimuli for optimizing muscular power through different approaches. Overall, the evidence supports integrating complementary resistance training methods within a periodized program tailored to the athlete's training status, sport-specific demands, and competitive calendar to maximize power development.
SN - 2075-4663
ER -