Relationship Between Repetitions and Selected Percentages of One Repetition Maximum

Abstract

Thirty-eight male subjects with no previous muscular strength training experience were tested to determine the number of repetitions they could perform at 40, 60, and 80 percent of one repetition maximum (1 RIM)for each of seven specified weight training lifts. The results indicated that there is a significant difference (P < 0001) in the number of repetitions performed at the selected percentages of 1 RM, as well as in the number of repetitions performed at these percentages across lifts. The findings also indicate that a given number of repetitions is not always associated with the same percentages of the 1 RM when performing different lifts. The prediction of the 1 RM can not be generalized based on the number of repetitions performed.