Fitness Testing
Fitness Testing > Tests > Speed & Power > Sprint Power
Running Power Calculation
Running and sprinting ability is usually recorded as a speed or time over a set distance. In some situations, you may wish to convert running speed into a power score.
In many sports, a 100 kg person running 40 meters in 6 seconds is very different to a 70 kg running the same distance in the same time. Momentum is greater for the heavier person, and in contact sports this would be advantageous, however in other sports this would mean that stopping and changing direction would be more difficult.
With some simple calculations it is easy to convert speed scores to a power score. This formula is obtained from that used to calculate running power for the the RAST Test. One document listed the source as Harman (1995) but a reference has not been found.
Calculations
By rearranging basic physics formula, you can get a calculation for power (Watts) from running tests. The Body weight (in Kg) of the athlete needs to be known. Distance is in meters and time in seconds.
Velocity = Distance ÷ Time
Acceleration = Velocity ÷ Time
Force = Mass x AccelerationTherefore,
Power = Body Weight x Distance^2 ÷ Time^3.
Related Pages
- power is calculated from running speed for the RAST Test
- power calculations for Vertical Jump Testing
- running sprint fitness tests
