rate of force development

Definition

How quickly you can generate maximum force, essentially your muscles' 0-60 time. Critical for explosive athletes and completely ignored by people who think lifting slowly is somehow superior for building strength.

Example Usage

Olympic lifters have incredible rate of force development, which is why they can throw hundreds of pounds overhead while you're still deciding whether to get off the couch.

Origin

Formalized in biomechanics and sports performance research in the 1970s

Fun Fact

Rate of force development peaks in the first 50-250 milliseconds of a contraction, meaning explosive training requires thinking fast and lifting faster.

Source: Sports biomechanics and performance training terminology

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eccentric overload

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