This aims of this study were (I) to determine the velocity variable and regression model which best fit the load-velocity relationship during the free-weight prone bench pull exercise, (II) to compare the reliability of the velocity attained at each percentage of the one-repetition maximum (1RM) between different velocity variables and regression models, and (III) to compare the within- and between-subject variability of the velocity attained at each %1RM. Eighteen men (14 rowers and four weightlifters) performed an incremental test during the free-weight prone bench pull exercise in two different sessions. General and individual load-velocity relationships were modelled through three velocity variables (mean velocity [MV], mean propulsive velocity [MPV] and peak velocity [PV]) and two regression models (linear and second-order polynomial). The main findings revealed that (I) the general (Pearson's correlation coefficient [ r ] range = 0.964–0.973) and individual (median r = 0.986 for MV, 0.989 for MPV, and 0.984 for PV) load-velocity relationships were highly linear, (II) the reliability of the velocity attained at each %1RM did not meaningfully differ between the velocity variables (coefficient of variation [CV] range = 2.55–7.61% for MV, 2.84–7.72% for MPV and 3.50–6.03% for PV) neither between the regression models (CV range = 2.55–7.72% and 2.73–5.25% for the linear and polynomial regressions, respectively), and (III) the within-subject variability of the velocity attained at each %1RM was lower than the between-subject variability for the light-moderate loads. No meaningful differences between the within- and between-subject CVs were observed for the MV of the 1RM trial (6.02% vs . 6.60%; CV ratio = 1.10), while the within-subject CV was lower for PV (6.36% vs . 7.56%; CV ratio = 1.19). These results suggest that the individual load-MV relationship should be determined with a linear regression model to obtain the most accurate prescription of the relative load during the free-weight prone bench pull exercise.

This study aimed to compare the maximal mechanical variables derived from the load-velocity (L-V) relationship and 2000-meter rowing ergometer performance between rowers of different age categories, and to identify the L-V relationship variables more closely related to 2000-meter rowing ergometer performance. Nineteen competitive rowers (15 males and four females) aged between 15 and 25 years were evaluated during the national 2000-meter rowing ergometer competition organised by the Chilean Rowing Federation. Thereafter, the L-V relationship variables (load-axis intercept [L 0 ], velocity-axis intercept [v 0 ], and area under the L-V relationship line [A line ]) were determined on separate occasions during the squat jump and prone bench pull exercises. Rowers were classified according to their chronological age for comparative purposes (under 16 years [U16] vs. over 16 years [O16]). L 0 and A line were always higher for O16 than for U16 (p ≤ 0.046; ES range = 0.99-1.79), while v 0 was generally comparable for both age categories (p ≥ 0.038; ES range = 0.07-1.03). Furthermore, the O16 revealed a greater performance (i.e. shorter total time) during the 2000-meter rowing ergometer competition (p = 0.011; ES = −1.31). In general, significant correlations were obtained between rowing performance and the L-V relationship variables obtained during the squat jump (r or ρ range = −0.294 to −0.922) and prone bench pull (r or ρ range = −0.322 to −0.928). These results support the L-V relationship as a sensitive procedure to evaluate the maximal mechanical capacities of lower-and upper-body muscles in competitive rowers. Highlights. The load-velocity relationship variables are sensitive enough to differentiate between rowers of different age categories (U16 vs. O16). . The load-velocity variables are significantly associated with 2000-meter rowing ergometer performance (total time). . This novel testing methodology can provide practitioners and coaches with a simpler and more precise alternative to comprehensively assess a rower's maximal neuromuscular profiles.