Author Identifier (ORCID)
Abstract
Accurate assessment of an individual force–velocity (F–V) profile is essential for prescribing targeted resistance training; however, F–V outcomes depend strongly on the testing method used. This study examined the concurrent validity of the F–V relationship in a horizontal leg press exercise by comparing two-point methods, which use pairs of different loads relative to body weight, with a multiple-point method using a wider range of loads. Sixteen men (mean ± SD, age: 20.0 ± 1.4 years, height: 172.4 ± 6.3 cm, body mass: 69.2 ± 7.6 kg) performed maximal-effort horizontal dynamic leg press actions on a device equipped with pneumatic artificial muscles (ddrobotec®, Switzerland) against eleven external loads (100%–300% of body weight [BW] in 20% increments). The F–V relationship was obtained using 10 two-point methods that paired a 100% BW load with each of the additional loads (120%–300% BW) and also from all points. The F–V relationship parameters were compared between the two-point methods and the multiple-point method, and their correlations were analyzed. The results showed that the F–V relationship obtained from the four two-point methods with wider load differences (100% and 240%, 100% and 260%, 100% and 280%, and 100% and 300% BW) was nearly perfectly correlated with that by the multiple-point method (r = 0.906 to 0.993). The concurrent validity of the F–V relationship parameters obtained from the two-point methods tended to decrease when using loads that were closer together (e.g., 100% and 120% BW) than loads with a larger difference (e.g., 100% and 240% BW). These findings indicate that, on a horizontal leg press with pneumatic artificial muscles, a two-point method based on sufficiently distinct loads can provide an accurate estimate of the F–V relationship and may be a practical alternative to comprehensive multi-load testing.
Keywords
force-velocity profiling, leg press, resistance training, muscle strength, athletic performance, load-velocity relationship
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of Publication
1-1-2026
Article Number
e0356566
E-ISSN
19326203
Volume
21
Issue
8
PubMed ID
42640920
Publication Title
PLoS One
Publisher
PLOS
School
School of Medical and Health Sciences
Funding Information
N.I.S. New Investment Solutions (Liechtenstein) AG funded and Dynamic Devices Co., Ltd. collaborated with this study.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Nishioka, T., Yamaguchi, S., Yoshikawa, A., Ikeda, N., Hajima, D., Yabuno, N., Kunita, Y., Hashimoto, Y., Aoki, A., Takahashi, M., Nosaka, K., & Inami, T. (2026). Optimal two-point loading strategy for accurate leg press force–velocity assessment. PLoS One, 21(8), e0356566 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0356566