Reproducibility and Applicability of Traditional Strength Training Prescription Recommendations

Abstract

One of the main problems that exercise professionals face is controlling and quantifying the real load of resistance training in an objective manner. Several authors have made recommendations aimed at improving strength for different populations. However, it is necessary to verify whether these recommendations can be implemented, completing them in their entirety. Therefore, the aim of this study was to verify the reproducibility of a resistance training protocol in the bench press exercise, based on traditional recommendations, analysing the effect of the muscle fatigue of each set and of the whole exercise protocol. Thirty participants performed a bench press exercise protocol of three sets with the maximum number of repetitions possible to muscle failure (with 2 min rests between sets), using a relative load corresponding to 70% 1RM determined through the mean propulsive velocity obtained from the individual load¿velocity relationship. The conclusions of the study were that it was not possible to complete the same number of repetitions in each set for the same absolute load. Moreover, the level of fatigue generated through each set and its relationship with the capacity to recover in the established time could be different in each individual, showing an important coefficient of variation in each of the sets