Validation of a novel method to assess maximal neuromuscular capacities through the load-velocity relationship

This study was designed to elucidate whether the assessment of the load-velocity relationship during the bench press throw exercise can be used as an indicator of the maximal capacity of upper-body muscles to produce force at low and high velocities as well as doing work at a maximal rate. Twenty-four resistance-trained men (bench press one-repetition maximum [1RM] relative to body mass = 1.14 ± 0.17) performed two incremental loading tests from 14 kg until the 1RM during the bench press throw exercise 7 days apart. Individual load-velocity relationships were modelled from the mean velocity values collected under all loading conditions and three variables were calculated from the individual load-velocity relationships: load-axis intercept (L₀), velocity-axis intercept (v₀), and area under the line (A_line = L₀·v₀/2). The bench press 1RM strength, peak velocity achieved against 14 kg (PV_14kg), and the maximum power determined as the apex of the power-velocity relationship (P_max) were also determined as traditional measures of maximal neuromuscular capacities. The three load-velocity relationship variables showed a very high reliability (CV ≤ 2.36%; ICC ≥ 0.86). Regarding the concurrent validity of the load-velocity relationship variables, nearly perfect correlations were observed between L₀ and 1RM strength (r = 0.98) and between A_line and P_max (r = 0.96), while lower correlations were observed between v₀ and PV_14kg (r = 0.59). These results highlight that the three maximal mechanical capacities of upper-body muscles can be quickly estimated through the assessment of the load-velocity relationship during the bench press throw exercise.