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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate relationships between one-repetition maximum (1RM) strength measures and various sport performance measures in evaluating upper and lower body strength. Fifty-seven high school female athletes ages 14-18 participated in this study. All of the participants completed a
1RM bench and leg press test to determine absolute and relative strength. Athletes were also evaluated on eight different performance measures including: sit-ups, 40-yd sprint, vertical jump, sit and reach, medicine ball toss, shuttle run, leg press repetitions-to-fatigue (91 kg), and bench press repetitions-to-fatigue (27 kg) in conjunction with various body composition variables. A Pearson product correlation and Stepwise regression analysis was utilized to determine relationships between 1RM strength and the performance measures for upper and lower body strength. Based on the data analysis, it was concluded that bench press repetitions-to-fatigue (BPRTF27) using a weight load of 27 kg had the highest correlation with 1RM bench press strength (r= 0.802) and leg press repetitions-to-fatigue using a weight load of 91 kg had the highest correlation with 1RM leg press strength (r= 0.793) indicating that these tests were viable alternatives to 1RM testing for strength assessment. The Stepwise Regression analysis further confirmed that BPRTF27 and LBM (lean body mass) were significant variables in developing the model 1RMBP= 48.44 + (1.42) BPRTF27 + (.153) LBM for upper body strength testing. Similar results occurred in the lower body model (1RMLP= 69.92 + (3.65) LPRTF91 + (1.42) LBM + (2.63) with the addition of the SIT/REA (sit/reach) variable. A positive relationship between 1RM strength and repetitions-to-fatigue testing was evident for all models (p < .001).