Power Profiling in Flywheel Resistance Training: An Integrative Review of Load-Power and Force-Velocity-Power Approaches

This review examined how power profiling has been implemented in flywheel resistance training. Power profiling was defined as assessment of the load-power or force-velocity-power relationship across multiple inertial loads using concentric and/or eccentric peak or mean outputs, and the reliability of existing protocols was evaluated. The aims were to (a) summarize methodologies used to assess flywheel load-power characteristics; (b) clarify the rationale for, and reliability of, current profiling approaches; and (c) provide a framework for practical implementation. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and SportDiscus. Of 33 studies identified, 17 met the inclusion criteria. Most protocols used 1 submaximal repetition to generate momentum, followed by 3–12 maximal repetitions. The most common approach involved 1 submaximal repetition followed by 3, 5, or 7 maximal efforts, although few directly assessed profiling reliability. Peak concentric and eccentric power were most frequently reported, whereas average power metrics were inconsistently included. Only a minority of studies directly assessed reliability; most used power outputs to guide load prescription rather than evaluate consistency. Flywheel power profiling appears logical for characterizing power output across exercises and inertial loads, but reliability is dependent on methodological factors.