LOAD-VELOCITY RELATIONSHIP IN NATIONAL PARALYMPIC POWERLIFTERS: A CASE STUDY

 This study examined the relationships between different loading intensities and movement velocities in the bench-press exercise (BP) in Paralympic powerlifters. Methods: Seventeen National Paralympic powerlifters performed maximum dynamic strength tests to determine their BP one-repetition maximum (1RM) in a Smith-machine device. A linear position transducer was used to measure the 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 (%1RM). Results: Overall, the correlations between bar-velocities and %1RM were strong over the entire range of loads (R² values ranged from 0.80 to 0.91), 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 (e.g., 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. Conclusions: 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.