Muscle Strength Testing

1RM and 4-6 RM Testing

Dinh Nguyen

Michelle Rumpel

Kristian Blanco

Muscular Strength

• Ability of a muscle group to develop maximal contractile

force against a resistance in a single contraction.

• Static strength = maximal force produced when limb is

not moving

• Dynamic strength = maximal force produced in a single

contraction at a specified velocity

Reasons for Testing Muscle Strength

Establish baselines before training

Monitor progress while training

Assess effectiveness of programs

In KRG- to have information to compare to the bone

scanning data

Diagnose Certain disorders/pathologies that may affect

muscle strength or nerve damage causing muscles to

not activating.

Ways to Test Muscle Strength

Manual Muscle Tests

Functional Performance Training

Dynamometer- force exerted on machine measured in Kg and lbs

1 Rep Max- highest weight that one repetition of movement can be performed

with proper form before muscle failure

4-6 Rep Max- highest weight that 4-6 repetitions of movement can be

performed with proper form before muscle failure

Muscles used in Grip Strength

Muscles Used in Leg Extension

Quadriceps:

Rectus femoris

Vastus Intermedius

Vastus Medius

Vastus Lateralis

Muscles Used in Leg Flexion

Hamstrings:

Biceps Femoris

Semimebranosus

Semitendinosus

Muscles Used in Plantar Flexion

Gastocnemius

Soleus

Plantaris

Flexor Hallucis Longus

Flexor Digitorum Longus

Tibialis Posterior

Muscles used in Dorsiflexion

Tibialis Anterior

Extensor Hallucis

Longus

Extensor Digitorum

Longus

Peroneus Tertius

Significance of Research

1 rep max is not always practical, especially

with older patients

Less chance of injury with a 4-6 rep max

because of lower weight

Research Question

Research Question- How accurate is the 4-6

rep max prediction equation in determining

the actual 1 rep max?

Methodology 6 Participants: 4 Males and 2 Females

Ages: 19 - 23

Activity Level: Active

-Grip strength (Dynamometer)

-Quads (Leg Extension Machine)

5 minute rest

-Hamstring (Leg Curl Machine)

5 minute rest

-Plantarflexion (Rotary Calf Machine)

Methodology

For each 1 rep max test: 1. 8-10 reps of light weight for warm up and to gain proper form

2. 30 second rest

3. Increase weight and try 1 rep

4. Continue to increase weight until failure

For each 4-6 rep max test: 1. 8-10 reps of light weight for warm up and to gain proper form

2. 30 second rest

3. Increase weight and and try 4-6 rep max

4. Continue to increase weight until failure

Assessment Tools Hand Dynamometer (Grip)

Cybex leg extension machine→ quadriceps

Assessment Tools Cybex seated leg curl

machine→ hamstrings

Cybex rotary calf

machine→ plantarflexion

Assessment Tools Handheld Dynamometer for Dorsiflexion and Plantar Flexion

Assessment Tools

Cybex leg extension machine→ quadriceps

Cybex seated leg curl machine→ hamstrings

Cybex rotary calf machine→ plantarflexion

Just learned we have a portable dynamometer

1 RM Prediction Equations

Results

Results

Results

Current Literature - LaSuer, D. et al. “The accuracy of Prediction Equations for Estimating 1-RM

Performance in the Bench Press, Squat and Deadlift” (1997).

- Dohoney, P. et al. “Prediction of One Repetition Maximum (1-RM) Strength

from a 4-6 RM and a 7-10 RM Submaximal Strength Test in Healthy Young

Adult Males” (2002).

Possible Errors in Procedure

Rest Time/warm-ups

Correct Form

Reps until reaching max

Practice Bias

Order of testing

No familiarization with equipment

Challenges Faced

Getting in touch as a group

Lack of time to meet up

Time for preparation

Time for conducting research

Lack of equipment