A recent study from the University of Kansas, published in NSCA Coach, was co‑authored by Conor McNally, Quincy Johnson, Yang Yang and Andrew Fry. It explains how velocity‑based training can craft individualized conditioning programs for college football players.
A data‑driven shift in strength coaching
The technique uses high‑resolution cameras to capture the speed of a barbell during each lift, turning raw velocity numbers into immediate coaching cues.
Athletes are grouped into ‘bigs’, ‘mids’ and ‘skills’, each assigned a velocity window that matches the physiological demands of their position.
Training zones are defined by speed ranges: 0.7–0.9 m/s signals strength‑speed work, 0.45–0.75 m/s targets accelerative strength, and 0.25–0.5 m/s is earmarked for absolute strength.
Because the system flags when an athlete’s velocity falls outside the target range, it serves as an early warning for fatigue, allowing staff to adjust loads and reduce injury risk.