title: Effect of training status on reliability of one repetition maximum testing in women.
abstract: In untrained adults, multiple trials of maximal strength testing are necessary to obtain reliable measures. Training status may positively influence test-retest reliability and increase testing efficiency. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of training status on differences between trials of 1 repetition maximum (1RM) measurement in women. Before (untrained women [UTW]) and after (trained women [TRW]) an 8-week resistance training program, 10 women (45.6 ± 1.4 years; body mass index 28.7 ± 1.6 kg·m) completed 3 trials of 1RM chest and leg press with at least 24 hours rest between trials. In UTW, differences between chest press trials were nonsignificant (trials 1-2: 2.36 ± 1.39 kg, p = 0.37; trials 2-3: 0.82 ± 0.77 kg, p = 0.95; trials 1-3: 3.18 ± 0.16 kg, p = 0.07), although a significant difference between leg press trials 1-3 was observed (trials 1-2: 6.55 ± 3.31 kg, p = 0.25; trials 2-3: 2.52 ± 1.1 kg, p = 0.15; trials 1-3: 9.07 ± 2.83 kg, p = 0.04). In TRW, differences between all 1RM trials were nonsignificant for both the chest press (trials 1-2: -0.65 ± 2.11 kg, p = 1.0; trials 2-3: 1.62 ± 0.69 kg, p = 0.15; trials 1-3: 0.96 ± 2.07 kg, p = 1.0) and leg press (trials 1-2: -1.51 ± 2.13 kg, p = 1.0; trials 2-3: 3.53 ± 3.0 kg, p = 0.82; trials 1-3: 2.01 ± 3.87 kg, p = 1.0). Our results suggest that training status has a positive influence on the efficiency of maximal strength measurement. For trained middle-aged women, a single trial of 1RM chest or leg press may be sufficient to obtain an accurate and reliable measure of maximal strength.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Valdosta State University, Valdosta, Georgia, USA. mjbenton@valdosta.edu
authors.forename: Melissa J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Benton
authors.forename: Scot
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Raab
authors.forename: Green T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Waggener
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000379:methods*; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000502:physiology*