Is there anybody out there using impulse based training?
I understand the utility of velocity-based training and have used and researched in this area 10 or so years back. However, I often wonder why don’t we get amongst impulse more? Velocity (kinematics) is an outcome measure of impulse (kinetics). One of my favorite mechanical relationships is the impulse-momentum relationship i.e. the amount of force you produce and the time over which it acts (impulse = force x time) determines the momentum (mass x velocity) of an object or a person. Since mass stays relatively constant in most situations – impulse determines the velocity of an object. For example, impulse determines take-off velocity in jumping.
So instead of giving feedback on velocity to athletes and players, have you thought about giving feedback on impulse? The force and time over which the force acts determines the velocity and so therefore provides higher level diagnostics i.e. does the athlete need to express more force or express it more quickly, or both? Setting impulse thresholds to match your event would be next level. Thoughts?
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