Comparison of the bench press one-repetition maximum obtained by different procedures: Direct assessment vs. lifts-to-failure equations vs. two-point method

Abstract

This study examined the differences in the bench press one-repetition maximum obtained by three different methods (direct method, lifts-to-failure method, and two-point method). Twenty young men were tested in four different sessions. A single grip width (close, medium, wide, or self-selected) was randomly used on each session. Each session consisted of an incremental loading test until reaching the one-repetition maximum, followed by a single set of lifts-to-failure against the 75% one-repetition maximum load. The last load lifted during the incremental loading test was considered the actual one-repetition maximum (direct method). The one-repetition maximum was also predicted using the Mayhew’s equation (lifts-to-failure method) and the individual load–velocity relationship modeled from two data points (two-point method). The actual one-repetition maximum was underestimated by the lifts-to-failure method (range: 1–2 kg) and overestimated by the two-point method (range: –3 to –1 kg), being these differences accentuated using closer grip widths. All predicted one-repetition maximums were practically perfectly correlated with the actual one-repetition maximum ( r ≥ 0.95; standard error of the estimate ≤ 4 kg). The one-repetition maximum was higher using the medium grip width (83 ± 3 kg) compared to the close (80 ± 3 kg) and wide (79 ± 3 kg) grip widths ( P ≤ 0.025), while no significant differences were observed between the medium and self-selected (81 ± 3 kg) grip widths ( P = 1.000). In conclusion, although both the Mayhew’s equation and the two-point method are able to predict the actual one-repetition maximum with an acceptable precision, the differences between the actual and predicted one-repetition maximums seem to increase when using close grip widths.

Prediction of One Repetition Maximum Using Reference Minimum Velocity Threshold Values in Young and Middle-Aged Resistance-Trained Males

“…Similar to previous reports, the current data demonstrated a very large to a nearly perfect relative agreement with respect to the actual 1RM and predicted 1RM using multiple-point and distant two-point methods for bench press exercise [ 10 , 30 , 31 ]. However, measures of association are not indicative of the absolute agreement between 1RM prediction methods; more important is the absolute error which in this study is moderate and, in the case of the velocity-biased two-load method, high .…”

“…However, measures of association are not indicative of the absolute agreement between 1RM prediction methods; more important is the absolute error which in this study is moderate and, in the case of the velocity-biased two-load method, high . These absolute errors are alarming for those who use such methods in practice and are in contrast to previous reports of a favorable agreement between direct 1RM assessment and velocity-based 1RM prediction methods in the bench press exercise [ 10 , 31 , 32 ]. The absolute errors, which were similar between groups, demonstrate variability which challenges the ability of these 1RM prediction methods in detecting changes in upper-body pushing strength (~9.1 kg) observed after resistance training in older adults [ 33 ].…”

The Bench Press Grip Width Does Not Affect the Number of Repetitions Performed at Different Velocity Loss Thresholds

“…These findings are in line with those previously demonstrated by Wilk et al [25], who did not find significant differences between the narrow (95% of the biacromial width) and wide (200% of the biacromial width) grip widths for the XRM completed against the grip-specific 75% 1RM loads during the free-weight BP exercise. It has previously been suggested that changes in BP grip width can affect 1RM performance [19][20][21] and kinetic and kinematic outputs [22][23][24]. However, based on the findings by Wilk et al [25], and the results of the present study, it seems that the grip width might not affect the total repetition volume or the repetition volume before exceeding a pre-determined VLT.…”

“…One of the frequently overlooked aspects when performing the BP exercise is the impact of grip width on the performance of the exercise [16]. Previous studies have explored the effects of different grip widths on specific muscle activation patterns [17,18], 1RM performance [19][20][21], or kinetic and kinematic outputs [22][23][24]. However, little evidence exists regarding the effects of the grip width on training volume.…”

Concentric-Only Versus Touch-and-Go Bench Press One-Repetition Maximum in Men and Women

“…Although the load-velocity relationship has been found to differ between variants of the same exercise, 10,23 no study has explored whether the prediction accuracy of RTF equations could differ between variants of the same exercise (eg, concentric-only bench press vs touch-and-go bench press). Exercises using the stretch shortening cycle generally enable the production of greater values of concentric force, velocity, and power than concentric-only exercises.…”