Lat Pulldown Load Velocity Profiling in Upper-Body Dominant Athletes: A Preliminary Report

Authors

Darian B. Hastings, Texas A&M UniversityFollow
Benjamin P. Doyle, Texas A&M UniversityFollow
John D. Tebbetts, Texas A & M University - College StationFollow
Bryan B. Crutcher, Texas A&M UniversityFollow
J Bryan Mann, Texas A&M University, College Station,TXFollow

Abstract

The lat pulldown (LPD) is a common strength exercise aimed to improve maximal strength and power of the latissimus dorsi, the primary agonist muscle for vertical pulling patterns common in sports such as swimming and sport climbing. There is limited research supporting the use of load velocity profiling of the LPD exercise for determining maximal vertical pulling power in upper-body dominant athletes and using these profiles to predict sport-specific performance capabilities. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to validate the use of load velocity profiling of the LPD exercise as a predictive measure of vertical pulling power in upper-body dominant athletes. METHODS: Seven healthy male athletes (age=20.6±1.0, body mass=81.4±13.2 kg) participating in sports with notable upper body demands (swimming, rowing, climbing) volunteered to participate in this study. Prior to beginning, subjects were verbally instructed on the correct exercise technique consisting of a vertical upper body with no posterior leaning, closed shoulder-width grip, and pulling the bar down to chest height. Mean velocity was recorded using a GymAware PowerTool device. Each subject performed single repetitions beginning at 50% of their body mass, increasing by 10% each repetition until reaching the failure criteria. Subjects were instructed to pull as forcefully and quickly as possible during each repetition. Subjects completed the test when meeting either failure criterion: A) significant deviation from the correct exercise technique, or B) failing to achieve a mean velocity of at least 0.60 m/s. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation) were calculated for peak normalized power, along with the load and velocity at which peak power was achieved. Individual quadratic regression models of relative load versus peak power were fit to determine the accuracy of this approach for predicting peak power. RESULTS: Subjects achieved peak normalized power at an average of 72.86±17.99% of body mass and a mean velocity of 1.10±0.25 m/s. However, there was a sizable amount of variability among the sample for the relative load and mean velocity at which peak power is achieved (CV=24.7% and 22.5%, respectively). Quadratic regression captured a high degree of variance (R²=0.89±0.13) and had good-to-excellent predictive accuracy for peak power (MAPE=2.74±2.29%) and relative load during peak power (MAPE=12.37±11.15%). CONCLUSION: Pending further study with a larger sample of males and females, LPD load velocity profiling is a promising tool for evaluating peak pulling power but should be considered on an individual basis. An individual’s training would be best informed by their personal power profile, allowing for individualized training prescription based on sport-specific demands and personal force-velocity characteristics.

Recommended Citation

Hastings, Darian B.; Doyle, Benjamin P.; Tebbetts, John D.; Crutcher, Bryan B.; and Mann, J Bryan (2026) "Lat Pulldown Load Velocity Profiling in Upper-Body Dominant Athletes: A Preliminary Report," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 2: Iss. 18, Article 211.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol2/iss18/211