Relationship between maximum strength and minimum velocity threshold in bench press ― Examination from the weight ratio of one-repetition maximum ―

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between maximal muscle strength and minimum velocity threshold (MVT), focusing on the body weight ratio of one-repetition maximum (1RM) in the bench press. 1RM measurements were performed on 189 healthy male and female college students. Results indicated a very strong negative correlation between bench press relative intensity and average velocity, and a weak negative correlation between 1RM body weight ratio and MVT. Comparison of the upper and lower 1RM body weight ratio groups showed that the upper group had a significantly larger 1RM body weight ratio than the lower group, and the upper group had a significantly smaller MVT than the lower group. Furthermore, a very strong negative correlation was found between relative muscle intensity and average velocity for both groups, and regression equations were obtained for each. This suggests that although the relationship between relative bench press strength and mean velocity is quite stable, MVT may be influenced by training proficiency factors.