Affiliations: [a] Study and Research Group in Metabolism, Nutrition, and
Exercise – Physical Education and Sport Center – Londrina State University,
Paraná, Brazil | [b] Physical Education Department, Maringá State
University, Maringa, Brazil | [c] Exercise Science Department, Truman State University,
Kirksville, MO, USA | [d] School of Physical Education, Pernambuco University,
Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil | [e] Neuromuscular System and Exercise Research Group,
Londrina State University, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
Correspondence:
[*]
Corresponding author: Alex Silva Ribeiro, Carmela Dutra Street
862, Jataizinho, PR, Zip code: 86210-000, Brazil. E-mail:
alex-silvaribeiro@hotmail.com
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Differences related to sexual characteristics
are directly linked to the mechanisms responsible for adaptations from
resistance training (RT). Due to these differences, men and women may perform
their RT programs at different percentages of maximum strength even when
executing the same number of repetitions. OBJECTIVE: To compare the relative repetition maximum (%1RM) at which men and women perform RT in a
program controlling repetitions/set. METHODS: Thirty men (22.7 ± 4.4 years, 68.4 ± 9.0 kg, 174.5 ± 6.6 cm), and 34 women (22.7 ±
4.1 years, 58.8 ± 11.9 kg, 162.6 ± 6.2 cm) performed 16 weeks of RT,
3 times per week using 3 sets of 8–12 RM. Anthropometric measurements and 1RM
test in bench press (BP), and arm curl (AC) were obtained at baseline and after
the RT program. RESULTS: Women performed the training in BP at a
higher %1RM than men ($P<$ 0.05) at the beginning (men=59.8 ±
5.1% and women=63.2 ± 7.2%) and at the end (men=66.2 ±
6.5% and women=68.6 ± 7.2%) of the program. Both men and women
significantly increased (P< 0.05) the %1RM at which they performed BP
exercise (men=+10.7% and women=+8.5%) while maintaining the
8–12 repetition configuration with no significant time x group interaction
(P> 0.05). There was not significant main effect for AC (P> 0.05)
indicating no change in %1RM at which each sex exercised. CONCLUSION: We conclude that men and women perform RT at different %1RM in BP, except
for the AC during a RT program utilizing 8–12 RM per set.
Keywords: Weight training, one repetition maximum, sex
