Validity of Using Velocity to Estimate Intensity in Resistance Exercises in Men and Women

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the validity of using bar velocity to estimate relative load in squat and bench-press exercises for both young men and women. Twenty-five men and 25 women performed a progressive loading test up to 1-RM in the squat and bench-press exercises, which were repeated after 2-weeks. Relationships between mean propulsive velocity and%1-RM were analysed. A second-order polynomial equation for predicting the corresponding velocity of each percentage of 1-RM was developed for men (validation). This equation was then applied in women (cross-validation). Moreover, a specific equation for women was developed (validation) and was also applied in a sub-sample of women (cross-validation). Close relationships (R2: 0.91–0.95) between bar velocity and relative load were observed in both sexes for squat and bench press. Men’s equation applied to women showed a high level of agreement, although lower bias and higher level of agreement was observed when a sex-specific equation was applied in women, both validation and cross-validation samples. In conclusion, lifting velocity can be used to accurately prescribe the relative load regardless of sex in both upper-body and lower-body exercises, although when estimating load from velocity measures it will be necessary to use the sex-specific equation for each exercise.