How to test: Load Velocity Sprint Profile

Use a load-velocity profile (LVP) to understand how an athlete's sprint speed changes with resistance. The profile helps you choose an individual load for a target velocity decrement instead of assigning the same resistance to every athlete.

Watch the full load-velocity profiling video on YouTube

Before you begin

Use the Sessions app on Sprint 2 or the Control App to record runs against an athlete's profile. Allow the athlete to warm up and practice resisted sprinting, particularly at heavier loads, before collecting test results.

Choose loads and distances

Select at least three distinct loads spanning the range you intend to use in training. Use light, medium, and heavy resistance appropriate to the athlete; leave at least 3 kg between sprint loads.

The existing test-session protocol gives this example for a trained athlete:

These are starting examples, not fixed requirements. A 3 kg light trial is another option and may also support force-velocity profiling when its test requirements are met.

Record the test

1. Run each trial with maximum intent.
2. Allow at least 2.5 minutes between efforts, extending recovery if needed to maintain performance.
3. Inspect the speed trace after each run. The athlete must reach a speed plateau under that load.
4. If speed is still increasing at the finish, extend the distance and repeat the trial.
5. Review all trials before creating the profile. Repeat trials affected by poor execution or insufficient recovery.

If space is limited, choose a heavier starting load at which the athlete can reach top speed within the available distance. Keep the other loads well separated and relevant to the intended training range.

Review the profile

• Graph: Speed is plotted against machine load.
• VDec table: Shows the loads associated with reductions from estimated unloaded maximum speed.
• R²: Describes how closely the measured trials fit the line. The LVP reference expects values above 0.95 for full-effort trials; the coaching article recommends aiming above 0.985. A good fit does not replace checking each trial.
• M₀: The theoretical load at zero speed, not a load the athlete should attempt to move.

Save and apply the results

Follow Creating a Load Velocity Report to select trials, save the profile, and export a PDF. Use Assigning Load from Saved LVP for the software steps.

For choosing training zones and following progress, continue to Using velocity decrements for sprint training.

Source: Load-Velocity Profiling for Sprint Training.