Exerting force at the maximal speed drives the increase in power output in elite athletes after 4 weeks of resistance training.

Purpose: In the present study, we examined how a 4-week intervention of maximal intended velocity (MIVRT) and controlled velocity resistance training (CRT)-induced task-specific responses in expert individuals.

Methods: Twenty elite athletes were randomly assigned to either a MIVRT (n = 10) or CRT (n = 10) group, both following the same volume-load training based on the back-squat three times a week but with different intentions in moving load (force-exertion speed). We assessed one-repetition maximum (1RM), mean propulsive velocity (MPV), and mean propulsive power (MPP) using a progressive-loading test before and after the intervention.