Visual Feedback Attenuates Mean Concentric Barbell Velocity Loss and Improves Motivation, Competitiveness, and Perceived Workload in Male Adolescent Athletes

Abstract

It is unknown whether instantaneous visual feedback of resistance training outcomes can enhance barbell velocity in younger athletes. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to quantify the effects of visual feedback on mean concentric barbell velocity in the back squat, and to identify changes in motivation, competitiveness, and perceived workload. In a randomised-crossover design (Feedback vs. Control) feedback of mean concentric barbell velocity was or was not provided throughout a set of 10 repetitions in the barbell back squat. Magnitude-based inferences were used to assess changes between conditions, with almost certainly greater differences in mean concentric velocity between the Feedback (0.70 ±0.04 m·s) and Control (0.65 ±0.05 m·s) observed. Additionally, individual repetition mean concentric velocity ranged from possibly (repetition number two: 0.79 ±0.04 vs. 0.78 ±0.04 m·s) to almost certainly (repetition number 10: 0.58 ±0.05 vs. 0.49 ±0.05 m·s) greater when provided feedback, while almost certain differences were observed in motivation, competitiveness, and perceived workload, respectively. Providing adolescent male athletes with visual kinematic information while completing resistance training is beneficial for the maintenance of barbell velocity during a training set, potentially enhancing physical performance. Moreover, these improvements were observed alongside increases in motivation, competitiveness and perceived workload providing insight into the underlying mechanisms responsible for the performance gains observed. Given the observed maintenance of barbell velocity during a training set, practitioners can use this technique to manipulate training outcomes during resistance training.

Applied Sport Science for Male Age-Grade Rugby Union in England

“…Muscular strength and power are key attributes of RU performance due to the contact and collision element of the sport [75]. Six studies have presented strength and power data in age-grade RU players via Wattbike peak power output [64], countermovement jump [46,62] or isoinertial strength tests [46,62,[65][66][67]. Strength and power are greater in older age categories [62,64] supporting data in rugby league [53,68].…”

“…Previous research has presented the physical qualities of senior [53][54][55][56] and youth [53,[57][58][59] RU players across multiple ages, standards and positions. Specific to male age-grade RU players within England, ten studies [46,49,[60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67] have presented data across various physical qualities making comparisons between age, position and playing level. Tables 4 and 5 present the physical qualities for age-grade RU players from England and provide objective markers of physical development to support talent identification and development [68].…”

Effects of In-Season Velocity- Versus Percentage-Based Training in Academy Rugby League Players

“…Both groups received the same encouragement to lift with maximal intended concentric velocity and complete the eccentric phase in a controlled manner, although neither group received instantaneous velocity information to control for the effect of feedback. 18 Following back squats, participants then completed the same four supplementary exercises (Nordic lower/Romanian deadlift, upper-body push, upper-body pull, anti-extension) using body weight or a repetitions in reserve approach to adjust load (Table 1).…”

“How Am I Going, Coach?”—The Effect of Augmented Feedback During Small-Sided Games on Locomotor, Physiological, and Perceptual Responses

“…8 The use of augmented feedback has been well established as a method of promoting acute performance enhancement and mitigating the effects of fatigue during exercise. [9][10][11][12] For example, during resistance training it has been demonstrated that providing barbell velocity visually when exercising can enhance barbell speed by 7.7% compared to athletes who do not receive this feedback. 11 Furthermore, running performance and perceptions of effort can be improved when frequent positive encouragement is provided to athletes in maximal exercise tests.…”

“…[9][10][11][12] For example, during resistance training it has been demonstrated that providing barbell velocity visually when exercising can enhance barbell speed by 7.7% compared to athletes who do not receive this feedback. 11 Furthermore, running performance and perceptions of effort can be improved when frequent positive encouragement is provided to athletes in maximal exercise tests. 12 It is thought that these improvements in physical performance are due to externalised focus which can mitigate feelings of fatigue 12 and improve motivation and competitiveness.…”