Prediction of the One Repetition Maximum to Design Strength Training Protocol

Abstract

Accurate measurement of muscle strength is essential to design proper strength training protocol and to find out the efficacy of prescribed strength training protocol on muscle performance. One Repetition Maximum (1RM) is a reliable mean for the measurement of muscle strength. Primary goal of this review article was to explore the methods used in various articles of research databases that investigate the accurate way of estimation of 1RM before the design of strength training protocol. Wide range databases were searched to address articles on prediction of 1RM mentioned in Scopus, Pubmed, MEDLINE, Web of science, Google scholar databases, Wiley online library. Accurate determination of 1RM is based on various variables like gender, age, familiarisation of exercises, selection of predicted load, parts of body assessed (upper or lower limbs), rest interval given between exercise attempt and number of repetitions with percentage of predicted load. Prediction of 1RM varies significantly across different research studies. Based on the articles reviewed, it can be concluded that accurate prediction of 1RM is important to quantify current muscle strength level before one begins with strength training protocol. Many research articles mentioned that calculation of 1RM consists of trial and error, and it can also result into delayed onset of muscle soreness of particular tested muscles. Accurate Prediction of 1RM is important to design strength training protocol and it is also used to find out the efficacy of strength training protocol on muscle performance.