Prediction of one repetition maximum strength from multiple repetition maximum testing and anthropometry

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to quantify the decrease in the load lifted from 1 to 5, 10, and 20 repetitions to failure for the flat barbell bench press (chest press; CP) and plate-loaded leg press (LP). Furthermore, we developed prediction equations for 1 repetition maximum (RM) strength from the multiple RM tests, including anthropometric data, gender, age, and resistance training volume. Seventy subjects (34 men, 36 women), 18-69 years of age, completed 1, 5, 10, and 20RM testing for each of the CPs and LPs. Regression analyses of mean data revealed a nonlinear decrease in load with increasing repetition number (CP: linear Sy.x = 2.6 kg, nonlinear Sy.x = 0.2 kg; LP: linear Sy.x = 11.0 kg, nonlinear Sy.x = 2.6 kg, respectively). Multiple regression analyses revealed that the 5RM data produced the greatest prediction accuracy, with R2 data for 5, 10, and 20RM conditions being LP: 0.974, 0.933, 0.915; CP: 0.993, 0.976, and 0.955, respectively. The regression prediction equations for 1RM strength from 5RM data were LP: 1RM = 1.0970 × (5RM weight [kg]) + 14.2546, Sy.x = 16.16 kg, R2 = 0.974; CP: 1RM = 1.1307 × (5RM weight) + 0.6999, Sy.x = 2.98 kg, R2 = 0.993. Dynamic muscular strength (1RM) can be accurately estimated from multiple repetition testing. Data reveal that no more than 10 repetitions should be used in linear equations to estimate 1RM for the LP and CP actions. © 2006 National Strength & Conditioning Association.