Power Velocity Curve

The “power-velocity curve” is one of the most useful visuals (IMO). It gives you a clear understanding of what you are emphasizing when developing a specific strength quality.

Power is Not Power

Power = force *  velocity, which means the same power can be produced in one of two fashions (unless you’re talking about max power, this is the peak of the graph and can only be produced when force and velocity are at optimal levels, see above graph).

Power can be produced with either a large amount of force and a small velocity (point “a” on the above graph), or a large velocity and a small amount of force (point “b” on the above graph).

This may seem confusing at first, but by using the power curve, you get a clear visual representation of how power was produced and what strength quality is being targeted (speed-strength = velocity dominant, strength – speed = force dominant).

Why does this matter?

Optimal power is a product of the interaction between force and velocity. Its significance plays a large role in sporting outcomes. Power has been hailed as the holy grail of training (debatable), but just like force, without context to its velocity of production, the concept can be quite misleading.
Side note: The development of power should always be built on the backbone of maximal strength. Power is the interaction between velocity and force and regardless of how you twist it, is highly predicated on the production of large forces from the neuromuscular system.

Conclusion:

The idea that power is power is not necessarily true.

Yes, power is important, but as noted by the graph above, power is contextual to the velocity at which it is produced. Thus, the utilization of a power-velocity curve is a good way to understand how power is being produced and in which context it may best be transferred.

https://strongbyscience.net/product/applied-principles-optimal-power-development/

https://strongbyscience.net/product/power-block-pap-2-blocks/