Power

Power is rate of performing work. It is a measure of how much energy is created in each second that passes, the size of the force applied and the velocity at which it is applied.

Power {(Force × Distance) ÷ Time} represents the product of strength and speed of movement expressed in Watts. Where Force is measured in Newtons (1kg=10N), the Distance in metres and Time in seconds.

• 1 Watt = 0.73756 ft/lb/sec = 6.12 kg/m/min
• 1 Watt = 0.01433 kcal/min = 0.05 ml/kg/min
• 1 kcal/min = 3.5 ml/kg/min
• 1 kcal = 4.186 kjoules
• 1 kjoule = 0.23889 kcal

Example

An 80 kg athlete can run up a set of stairs, vertical height 3 metres, in 1.5 seconds

• Force = 800 N (80 x 10), Distance = 3 metres, Time = 1.5 seconds
• Energy = 800 x 3 = 2400 joules

• Power = Energy (joules) ÷ Time (seconds)
• Power = 2400 ÷ 1.5 = 1600 watts

Associated Pages

The following Sports Coach pages should be read in conjunction with this page:

• Articles on Strength training
• Circuit Training
• Strength Training
• Weight Training

• Training Books
• Training Products

Associated Books

The following books provide more information related to this topic:

• Explosive Power and Strength, D.A. Chu, ISBN 0 87322 643 7
• Strength Training Anatomy, F. Delavier, ISBN 0 7360 4185 0
• Strength Training for Athletes, A. Winch, ISBN 1 86126 650 2
• Serious Strength Training, T.O. Bompa et al., ISBN 0 88011 834 2
• Strength and Conditioning for Games Players, C. Brewer, ISBN 1 902523 85 7
• Strength Training for Coaches, B. Pauletto, ISBN 0 88011 371 5
• Advanced Studies in Physical Education and Sport, P Beashel et al., ISBN 0 17 4482345
• Physical Education and the Study of Sport, B. Davis et al., ISBN 0 7234 31752
• Essentials of Exercise Physiology, W.D. McArdle et al., ISBN 0 683 30507 7
• Physical Education and Sport Studies, D. Roscoe et al., ISBN 1 901424 20 0
• The World of Sport Examined, P. Beashel et al., ISBN 0 17 438719 9
• Advanced PE for Edexcel, F. Galligan et al., ISBN 0 435 50643 9
• Examining Physical Education, K. Bizley, ISBN 0 435 50660 9
• Sport and PE, K Wesson et al., ISBN 0 340 683821
• PE for you, J. Honeybourne, ISBN 0 7487 3277 2