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Misuse of "Power" and Other Mechanical Terms in Sport and Exercise Science Research
Edward M Winter1, Grant Abt, F B Carl Brookes
11The Centre for Sport and Exercise Science, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, United Kingdom; 2Department of Sport, Health and Exercise Science, University of Hull, Hull, United Kingdom; 3Department of Sports Science and Physical Activity, University of Bedfordshire, United Kingdom; 4Biomechanics Laboratory, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania; 5Department of Exercise and Sport Science, Manchester Metropolitan University, Crewe, United Kingdom; 6Department of Health and Human Performance, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas; 7Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; 8Department of Human Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; 9Institute of Sport, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, United Kingdom; 10Department of Public & Occupational Health and EMGO+ Institute, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; 11School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; 12Department of Human Biology, Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; 13School of Sport and Exercise, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand; 14Edith Cowan University Health and Wellness Institute, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Australia; 15School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, United Kingdom; and 16School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
Despite the Système International d'Unitès (SI) that was published in 1960, there continues to be widespread misuse of the terms and nomenclature of mechanics in descriptions of exercise performance. Misuse applies principally to failure to distinguish between mass and weight, velocity and speed, and especially the terms "work" and "power." These terms are incorrectly applied across the spectrum from high-intensity short-duration to long-duration endurance exercise. This review identifies these misapplications and proposes solutions. Solutions include adoption of the term "intensity" in descriptions and categorizations of challenge imposed on an individual as they perform exercise, followed by correct use of SI terms and units appropriate to the specific kind of exercise performed. Such adoption must occur by authors and reviewers of sport and exercise research reports to satisfy the principles and practices of science and for the field to advance.
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