Feasibility of the 2-Point Method for Determining the 1-Repetition Maximum in the Bench Press Exercise

Purpose: This study compared the concurrent validity and reliability of previously proposed generalized group equations for estimating the bench press (BP) 1-repetition maximum (1RM) with the individualized load-velocity relationship modeled with a 2-point method. Methods: Thirty men (BP 1RM relative to body mass: 1.08 [0.18] kg.kg(-1)) performed 2 incremental loading tests in the concentric-only BP exercise and another 2 in the eccentric-concentric BP exercise to assess their actual 1RM and load-velocity relationships. A high velocity (approximate to 1 m.s(-1)) and a low velocity (approximate to 0.5 m.s(-1)) were selected from their load-velocity relationships to estimate the 1RM from generalized group equations and through an individual linear model obtained from the 2 velocities. Results: The directly measured 1RM was highly correlated with all predicted IRMs (r = .847-.977). The generalized group equations systematically underestimated the actual 1RM when predicted from the concentric-only BP (P=.89), the direct method was the most reliable (coefficient of variation .98). Conclusions: The quick, fatigue-free, and practical 2-point method was able to predict the BP 1RM with high reliability and practically perfect validity, and therefore, the authors recommend its use over generalized group equations.Sin financiación3.979 JCR (2018) Q1, 16/81 Physiology, 8/83 Sport Sciences1.935 SJR (2018) Q1, 16/289 Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, 7/209 Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation, 11/125 Sports ScienceNo data IDR 2018UE