Power
Power is the rate of performing work. It is a measure of how much energy is created in each second that passes, the size of the force applied and the velocity at which it is applied.
Power {(Force × Distance) ÷ Time} represents the product of strength and speed of movement expressed in Watts. Where Force is measured in Newtons (1kg=10N), the Distance in metres and Time in seconds.
- 1 Watt = 0.73756 ft/lb/sec = 6.12 kg/m/min
- 1 Watt = 0.01433 kcal/min = 0.05 ml/kg/min
- 1 kcal/min = 3.5 ml/kg/min
- 1 kcal = 4.186 kjoules
- 1 kjoule = 0.23889 kcal
Example
An 80 kg athlete can run up a set of stairs, vertical height 3 metres, in 1.5 seconds
- Force = 800 N (80 x 10), Distance = 3 metres, Time = 1.5 seconds
- Energy = 800 x 3 = 2400 joules
- Power = Energy (joules) ÷ Time (seconds)
- Power = 2400 ÷ 1.5 = 1600 watts
Anaerobic Power
Anaerobic power is the ability to produce energy by the ATP-PC energy system and can be assessed with the Running-based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST). Fry (2014)[1] found that the Kansas squat test provides a reliable indicator of short-term anaerobic power.
Aerobic Power
Aerobic power is dependent on the chemical ability of the muscular tissues to use oxygen in breaking down fuels and the combined ability of the cardiovascular and pulmonary system to transport oxygen to the muscular tissues.
References
- FRY, A. C. et al. (2014) Kansas Squat Test: A Reliable Indicator of Short-term Anaerobic Power. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 28 (3), p. 630-635
Page Reference
If you quote information from this page in your work, then the reference for this page is:
- MACKENZIE, B. (2003) Power [WWW] Available from: https://www.brianmac.co.uk/power.htm [Accessed