Load-velocity relationship in the horizontal leg-press exercise in older women and men

This study analyzed the predictive ability of movement velocity to estimate the relative load (i.e., % of one-repetition maximum [1RM]) during the horizontal leg-press exercise in older women and men. Twenty-four women and fourteen men living in community-dwelling centers volunteered to participate in this study. All participants performed a progressive loading test up to 1RM in the horizontal leg-press. The fastest peak velocity (PV) and mean velocity (MV) attained with each weight were collected for analysis. Linear regression equations were modeled for women and men. We observed very strong linear relationships between both velocity variables and the relative load in the horizontal leg-press in women (PV: r² = 0.93 and standard error of the estimate (SEE) = 5.96% 1RM; MV: r² = 0.94 and SEE = 5.59% 1RM) and men (PV: r² = 0.93 and SEE = 5.96% 1RM; MV: r² = 0.94 and SEE = 5.97% 1RM). The actual 1RM and the estimated 1RM using both the PV and MV presented trivial differences and very strong relationships (r = 0.98-0.99) in both sexes. Men presented significantly higher (p < 0.001-0.05) estimated PV and MV against all relative loads compared to women (average PV = 0.81 vs. 0.69 m·s^-1 and average MV = 0.44 vs. 0.38 m·s^-1). Our data suggest that movement velocity accurately estimates the relative load during the horizontal leg-press in older women and men. Coaches and researchers can use the proposed sex-specific regression equations in the horizontal leg-press to implement velocity-monitored resistance training with older adults.