Misuse of "Power" and Other Mechanical Terms in Sport and Exercise Science Research

Edward M. Winter; Grant Abt; F. B.Carl Brookes; John H. Challis; Neil E. Fowler; Duane V. Knudson; Howard G. Knuttgen; William J. Kraemer; Andrew M. Lane; Willem Van Mechelen; R. Hugh Morton; Robert U. Newton; Clyde Williams; M. R. Yeadon

doi:10.1519/JSC.0000000000001101

Misuse of "Power" and Other Mechanical Terms in Sport and Exercise Science Research

Edward M. Winter, Grant Abt, F. B.Carl Brookes, John H. Challis, Neil E. Fowler, Duane V. Knudson, Howard G. Knuttgen, William J. Kraemer, Andrew M. Lane, Willem Van Mechelen, R. Hugh Morton, Robert U. Newton, Clyde Williams, M. R. Yeadon

Kinesiology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

106 Scopus citations

Abstract

Despite the Système International d'Unitès (SI) that was published in 1960, there continues to be widespread misuse of the terms and nomenclature of mechanics in descriptions of exercise performance. Misuse applies principally to failure to distinguish between mass and weight, velocity and speed, and especially the terms "work" and "power." These terms are incorrectly applied across the spectrum from high-intensity short-duration to long-duration endurance exercise. This review identifies these misapplications and proposes solutions. Solutions include adoption of the term "intensity" in descriptions and categorizations of challenge imposed on an individual as they perform exercise, followed by correct use of SI terms and units appropriate to the specific kind of exercise performed. Such adoption must occur by authors and reviewers of sport and exercise research reports to satisfy the principles and practices of science and for the field to advance.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	292-300
Number of pages	9
Journal	Journal of strength and conditioning research
Volume	30
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000001101
State	Published - Jan 1 2016

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation

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Winter, E. M., Abt, G., Brookes, F. B. C., Challis, J. H., Fowler, N. E., Knudson, D. V., Knuttgen, H. G., Kraemer, W. J., Lane, A. M., Van Mechelen, W., Morton, R. H., Newton, R. U., Williams, C., & Yeadon, M. R. (2016). Misuse of "Power" and Other Mechanical Terms in Sport and Exercise Science Research. Journal of strength and conditioning research, 30(1), 292-300. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000001101

@article{1c74367f20124285b3d13802afdeb5dc,

title = "Misuse of {"}Power{"} and Other Mechanical Terms in Sport and Exercise Science Research",

abstract = "Despite the Syst{\`e}me International d'Unit{\`e}s (SI) that was published in 1960, there continues to be widespread misuse of the terms and nomenclature of mechanics in descriptions of exercise performance. Misuse applies principally to failure to distinguish between mass and weight, velocity and speed, and especially the terms {"}work{"} and {"}power.{"} These terms are incorrectly applied across the spectrum from high-intensity short-duration to long-duration endurance exercise. This review identifies these misapplications and proposes solutions. Solutions include adoption of the term {"}intensity{"} in descriptions and categorizations of challenge imposed on an individual as they perform exercise, followed by correct use of SI terms and units appropriate to the specific kind of exercise performed. Such adoption must occur by authors and reviewers of sport and exercise research reports to satisfy the principles and practices of science and for the field to advance.",

author = "Winter, {Edward M.} and Grant Abt and Brookes, {F. B.Carl} and Challis, {John H.} and Fowler, {Neil E.} and Knudson, {Duane V.} and Knuttgen, {Howard G.} and Kraemer, {William J.} and Lane, {Andrew M.} and {Van Mechelen}, Willem and Morton, {R. Hugh} and Newton, {Robert U.} and Clyde Williams and Yeadon, {M. R.}",

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doi = "10.1519/JSC.0000000000001101",

language = "English (US)",

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Winter, EM, Abt, G, Brookes, FBC, Challis, JH, Fowler, NE, Knudson, DV, Knuttgen, HG, Kraemer, WJ, Lane, AM, Van Mechelen, W, Morton, RH, Newton, RU, Williams, C & Yeadon, MR 2016, 'Misuse of "Power" and Other Mechanical Terms in Sport and Exercise Science Research', Journal of strength and conditioning research, vol. 30, no. 1, pp. 292-300. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000001101

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T1 - Misuse of "Power" and Other Mechanical Terms in Sport and Exercise Science Research

AU - Winter, Edward M.

AU - Abt, Grant

AU - Brookes, F. B.Carl

AU - Challis, John H.

AU - Fowler, Neil E.

AU - Knudson, Duane V.

AU - Knuttgen, Howard G.

AU - Kraemer, William J.

AU - Lane, Andrew M.

AU - Van Mechelen, Willem

AU - Morton, R. Hugh

AU - Newton, Robert U.

AU - Williams, Clyde

AU - Yeadon, M. R.

PY - 2016/1/1

Y1 - 2016/1/1

N2 - Despite the Système International d'Unitès (SI) that was published in 1960, there continues to be widespread misuse of the terms and nomenclature of mechanics in descriptions of exercise performance. Misuse applies principally to failure to distinguish between mass and weight, velocity and speed, and especially the terms "work" and "power." These terms are incorrectly applied across the spectrum from high-intensity short-duration to long-duration endurance exercise. This review identifies these misapplications and proposes solutions. Solutions include adoption of the term "intensity" in descriptions and categorizations of challenge imposed on an individual as they perform exercise, followed by correct use of SI terms and units appropriate to the specific kind of exercise performed. Such adoption must occur by authors and reviewers of sport and exercise research reports to satisfy the principles and practices of science and for the field to advance.

AB - Despite the Système International d'Unitès (SI) that was published in 1960, there continues to be widespread misuse of the terms and nomenclature of mechanics in descriptions of exercise performance. Misuse applies principally to failure to distinguish between mass and weight, velocity and speed, and especially the terms "work" and "power." These terms are incorrectly applied across the spectrum from high-intensity short-duration to long-duration endurance exercise. This review identifies these misapplications and proposes solutions. Solutions include adoption of the term "intensity" in descriptions and categorizations of challenge imposed on an individual as they perform exercise, followed by correct use of SI terms and units appropriate to the specific kind of exercise performed. Such adoption must occur by authors and reviewers of sport and exercise research reports to satisfy the principles and practices of science and for the field to advance.

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Misuse of "Power" and Other Mechanical Terms in Sport and Exercise Science Research

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