Load-Velocity Relationship in National Paralympic Powerlifters: A Case Study

To examine the relationships between different loading intensities and movement velocities in the bench-press exercise (BP) in Paralympic powerlifters.

A total of 17 national Paralympic powerlifters performed maximum dynamic strength tests to determine their BP 1-repetition maximum (1RM) in a Smith-machine device. A linear position transducer was used to measure movement velocity over a comprehensive range of loads. Linear-regression analysis was performed to establish the relationships between the different bar velocities and the distinct percentages of 1RM.

Overall, the correlations between bar velocities and %1RM were strong over the entire range of loads (R2 .80-.91), but the precision of the predictive equations (expressed as mean differences [%] between actual and predicted 1RM values) were higher at heavier loading intensities (∼20% for loads ≤70% 1RM and ∼5% for loads ≥70% 1RM). In addition, it seems that these very strong athletes (eg, 1RM relative in the BP = 2.22 [0.36] kg·kg-1, for male participants) perform BP 1RM assessments at lower velocities than those previously reported in the literature.

The load-velocity relationship was strong and consistent in Paralympic powerlifters, especially at higher loads (≥70% 1RM). Therefore, Paralympic coaches can use the predictive equations and the reference values provided here to determine and monitor the BP loading intensity in national Paralympic powerlifters.