Background: Force-velocity-power (FVP) profiling may aid in performance optimization through identification of the individual force-velocity (F-v) profile. However, the prevailing methodology of load application via an Olympic barbell (OLB) has been hypothesized to influence jump performance and biomechanics more so than a centralized loading approach. 

Methods: Therefore, to examine the effect of load centralization for FVP profiling, 26 subjects (24±6 years, 76±11 kg, 183±6 cm) underwent FVP profiling with both the OLB-loading approach and a centralized loading methodology through a weighted vest (WV). Subsequently, 7 subjects underwent FVP profiling with the standard WV and a WV modified to resemble the load distribution of the OLB (WVPER). 

Results: Compared to the OLB, load centralization through the WV increased the force-velocity relationship slope by 21% (P=0.02) and augmented maximal theoretical force and F-v profile by 8 and 16% (P=0.01-0.03). Oppositely directed changes were observed when WV was compared to WVPER (20% decrease in F-v slope and F-v profile reduced by 21% (P=0.03). 

Conclusions: In conclusion, the positioning of external load appears of importance for jumping ability and thus FVP profiling, with a potential advantage to adopting a centralized loading methodology.