title: Maximal power at different percentages of one repetition maximum: influence of resistance and gender.
abstract: National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I athletes were tested to determine the load at which maximal mechanical output is achieved. Athletes performed power testing at 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70% of individual 1 repetition maximum (1RM) in the squat jump, bench press, and hang pull exercises. Additionally, hang pull power testing was performed using free-form (i.e., barbell) and fixed-form (i.e., Smith machine) techniques. There were differences between genders in optimal power output during the squat jump (30-40% of 1RM for men; 30-50% of 1RM for women) and bench throw (30% of 1RM for men; 30-50% of 1RM for women) exercises. There were no gender or form interactions during the hang pull exercise; maximal power output during the hang pull occurred at 30-60% of 1RM. In conclusion, these results indicate that (a) gender differences exist in the load at which maximal power output occurs during the squat jump and bench throw; and (b) although no gender or form interactions occurred during the hang pull exercise, greater power could be generated during fixed-form exercise. In general, 30% of 1RM will elicit peak power outputs for both genders and all exercises used in this study, allowing this standard percentage to be used as a starting point in order to train maximal mechanical power output capabilities in these lifts in strength trained athletes.
authors.affiliation: Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, USA.
authors.forename: Gwendolyn A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Kraemer
authors.forename: Barry A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Spiering
authors.forename: Jeff S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Volek
authors.forename: Jeffrey M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Carl M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Maresh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001132:Arm / Q000502:physiology; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D012737:Sex Factors; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis