The load-velocity profile differs more between men and women than between individuals with different strength levels
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Title
Sports Biomechanics
Publisher
Routledge
School
Centre for Exercise and Sports Science Research / School of Medical and Health Sciences
RAS ID
29641
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the suitability of the load-velocity relationship to prescribe the relative load (%1RM) in women, as well as to compare the load-velocity profile between sexes and participants with different strength levels. The load-velocity relationship of 14 men (1RM: 1.17 ± 0.19) and 14 women (1RM: 0.66 ± 0.13) were evaluated in the bench press exercise. The main findings revealed that: (I) the load-velocity relationship was always strong and linear (R2 range: 0.987–0.993), (II) a steeper load-velocity profile was observed in men compared to women (Effect size [ES]: 1.09), with men showing higher velocities for light loads (ES: − 0.81 and − 0.40 for the y-intercept and 30%1RM, respectively), but women reporting higher velocities for the heavy loads (ES: 1.14 and 1.50 at 90%1RM and 100%1RM, respectively); and (III) while the slope of the load-velocity profile was moderately steeper for weak men compared to their strong counterpart (ES: 1.02), small differences were observed between strong and weak women (ES: − 0.39). While these results support the use of the individual load-velocity relationship to prescribe the %1RM in the bench press exercise for women, they also highlight the large disparities in their load-velocity profile compared to men.
DOI
10.1080/14763141.2018.1433872
Access Rights
subscription content
Comments
Torrejón, A., Balsalobre-Fernández, C., Haff, G. G., & García-Ramos, A. (2019). The load-velocity profile differs more between men and women than between individuals with different strength levels. Sports Biomechanics, 18(3), 245-255. Available here