Power

Power is 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).

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.

Associated Pages

The following Sports Coach pages should be read in conjunction with this page:

• Articles on Strength training
• Circuit Training
• Strength Training
• Speed Training
• Weight Training

Associated Books

The following books provide more information related to this topic:

• Explosive Power and Strength, D.A. Chu, ISBN 0 87322 643 7
• Strength Training Anatomy, F. Delavier, ISBN 0 7360 4185 0
• Strength Training for Athletes, A. Winch, ISBN 1 86126 650 2
• Serious Strength Training, T.O. Bompa et al., ISBN 0 88011 834 2
• Strength and Conditioning for Games Players, C. Brewer, ISBN 1 902523 85 7
• Strength Training for Coaches, B. Pauletto, ISBN 0 88011 371 5
• Advanced Studies in Physical Education and Sport, P Beashel et al., ISBN 0 17 4482345
• Physical Education and the Study of Sport, B. Davis et al., ISBN 0 7234 31752
• Essentials of Exercise Physiology, W.D. McArdle et al., ISBN 0 683 30507 7
• Physical Education and Sport Studies, D. Roscoe et al., ISBN 1 901424 20 0
• The World of Sport Examined, P. Beashel et al., ISBN 0 17 438719 9
• Advanced PE for Edexcel, F. Galligan et al., ISBN 0 435 50643 9
• Examining Physical Education, K. Bizley, ISBN 0 435 50660 9
• Sport and PE, K Wesson et al., ISBN 0 340 683821
• PE for you, J. Honeybourne, ISBN 0 7487 3277 2

Keywords: power, strength, speed, energy, training, force, sport, measure, size, velocity, anaerobic, kcal, time, watt, physical, distance, ability