A NEW SIMPLE TEST FOR MAXIMAL MUSCLE POWER IN HEALTH AND FITNESS FACILITIES

Abstract

Age related changes of muscle power and its impact on physical activity pattern, physical performance and quality of life demand a simple assessment strategy. Our aim is to present reliability data in a new simple protocol for muscle power assessment previously proposed by Araújo (2000). Eighteen physically active healthy young adults (12 women), unaccustomed to resistance training, participated in the study. They were initially subjected to an 1-RM testing with simultaneous measurement of velocity, power (Fitrodyne, Bratislava) in an upright row exercise, performed up to mesosternal level in standing position, in order to determine maximal power (MP) and the corresponding load (LMP) in power-load curve. In the following week, they returned in five consecutive days to perform 2x2 reps (3-sec interval among reps) at LMP using maximal velocity in the concentric phase. In one of the days, following a latin-square design, they performed 10x2 reps with one-minute interval among sets. Best results among reps were chosen for further analysis. One-way repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni t-tests showed that mean MP results in the 5 consecutive days did not differ (p = .69, ranging from 262 to 267 Watts). Looking to individual data variability, values of 3 and 8% were found respectively for CV and to the mean of range of scores divided by mean (M-m/X) (maximum minus minimum score divided by the subject's mean). Analyzing intraday reliability in the 10 consecutive sets û mean results (ranging from 242 to 263 Watts), only two significant differences were found û set 1 vs sets 4 and 6 û (p < .05). If set 1 data were excluded (5 of the 18 subjects performed very low values in this set), no significant differences could be detected (p = .13). Individual variability data showed 6 and 20%, respectively for CV and M-m/X. We conclude that MP obtained in this simple test presents high intra and interdays reliability with relatively low variability, that compares well with other measurements often used in exercise sciences. The method can be recommended for muscle power assessment in health and fitness facilities, where the utilization of more sophisticated devices and protocols are unsuitable.