The goal of the present study was to develop an equation for predicting the workload of one maximal repetition (1RM) in women and men, based exclusively on anthropometrical characteristics. Forty-four low-risk and experienced in strength training young subjects, being 22 male (23 ± 4 years, 76.6 ± 12.7 kg, 173.9 ± 5.5 cm, 11 ± 4.5 % of body fat) and 22 female (22 ± 4 years, 54 ± 6.0 kg, 161 ± 5.8 cm, 18 ± 2.2 % of body fat) volunteered for this study. All subjects were submitted to an anthropometrical evaluation followed by a 1RM familiarization test (shoulder press), which was repeated after 48h. The repeatability was tested using Wilcoxon Matched paired test. Finally, the 1RM workload was modeled in relation to the anthropometrical variables through multiple linear regression (forward stepwise) using as cutoff criteria for the independent variables deltar² < 0.01. The models reliability was expressed by the Bland and Altman analysis. All tests assumed alpha = 0.05. No significant differences were recorded between the two tests, resulting 44.6 ± 13.2 kg and 12.2 ± 3.2kg, for male (MS) and female (FS) subjects respectively. The time of practice in strength training was also included in the models. The model resulted in 84% of explained variance and a standard error of 12% for the MS. On the other hand, for the FS the predictive capacity was weaker than for = the MS, resulting in 56% of the explained variance and a standard error of 20%. In conclusion, the obtained models showed acceptable reliability so that they can be currently used as a tool for predicting the 1RM workload.
Strength training; Muscular strength; Exercise; Prediction equation
