Prediction equations as an alternative to 1-RM strength testing in division I college football players

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to develop a new prediction equation for 1RM bench press performance in Div. I college football players using both submaximal lifts and anthropometric variables. One repetition maximum (1-RM), 5-RM, reps at 225 lbs, and various anthropometric variables were collected on 85 Div. I college football players. Mean and SD were found for the following variables: height 182.3 cm ± 7.2; weight 102.0 kg ± 21.5; age 19.8 yrs ± 1.3; 1-RM 308.9 lbs ± 59.2; 5-RM 261.8 lbs ± 51.2; 225lb repetitions 14.1 reps ± 8.1; upper arm length 37.9 cm ± 2; CSA 125.5 cm2 ± 24.8; and flexed arm 41.2 cm ± 4.2. Findings indicated that the performance variables accounted for the majority of the explained variance; however, anthropometric factors also made a meaningful contribution to the explanation of 1-RM bench press strength. The equation generated in this study produced an R2 of 0.93 with a SEE ± 6.6 kg. Often previously published prediction equations investigated in this study, the equation developed in the current study was the only equation that did not significantly differ from actual 1-RM scores for a cross-validation sample of 31 subjects (p = 0.37). By combining anthropometric factors with performance variables, the current equation was able to predict 87% of individuals within ± 20 lbs of their actual 1-RM bench press performance. Therefore, it was concluded that the equation developed in this study is a valid means of estimating 1-RM bench press strength in Div I college football players.