Prediction of one repetition maximum (1-RM) strength from a 4-6 RM and a7-10 RM submaximal strength test in healthy young adult males

The purpose of this investigation was to determine if 1-RM strength could be predicted from a 4-6 RM submaximal strength test with a greater accuracy than the commonly used 7-10 submaximal strength test. Thirty-four healthy males between the ages of 19 and 32 participated in this study. Subjects completed 1-RM, 4-6 RM, and 7-10 RM strength assessments in random order with a minimum of 48 hours between each strength assessment. During each session, subjects performed strength assessments for the bench press, incline press, triceps extension, biceps curl, and leg extension. Multiple regression analysis was used to produce equations for predicting 1-RM strength from 4 to 6 or 7 to 10 repetition maximum tests. The 4-6 RM prediction equations improved the predictive accuracy of 1-RM strength compared to the 7-10 RM prediction equations based on the adjusted R² and standard error of estimate. Since no injuries or symptoms of delayed onset of muscle soreness were reported during either the 7-10 RM or the 4-6 RM submaximal strength assessments, the results of this study indicate that when attempting to predict 1-RM strength in healthy, young, males, a 4-6 RM submaximal strength assessment appears to be the more accurate test.