Concurrent Validity and Reliability of the Load-Velocity Relationship to Predict the One-Repetition Maximum during Three Weightlifting Derivatives

The study investigated the concurrent validity and reliability of the load-velocity relationship to predict the one-repetition maximum (1RM) of the power clean from the knee (PCK), high pull from the knee (HPK), and mid-thigh clean pull (MTCP). For each exercise, 12 participants performed two 1RM sessions tests and two sessions to measure the barbell’s load-velocity relationship at 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90% of 1RM. The velocity recorded at each load was used to establish the linear regression equation and, consequently, to predict 1RM value. A low validity between the 1RM direct test and predicted 1RM was observed for PCK (typical error [TE]=3.96 to 4.50 kg, coefficient of variation [CV]=4.68 to 5.27%, effect size [ES]=-0.76 to -0.58, Bland-Altman bias [BAB]=9.83 to 11.19 kg), HPK (TE=4.58 to 5.82 kg, CV=6.44 to 8.14%, ES=-0.40 to -0.39, BAB=3.52 to 4.17 kg), and MTCP (TE=6.33 to 8.08 kg, CV=4.78 to 6.16%, ES=-0.29 to -0.19, BAB=3.98 to 6.17 kg). Adequate reliability was observed for the 1RM direct test and for the predicted 1RM. However, based on Bland-Altman limits of agreement, lower measurement errors were obtained for the 1RM direct test in comparison to the predicted 1RM for all the exercises. In conclusion, the load-velocity relationship was not able to predict 1RM values with high accuracy in the PCK, HPK, and MTCP. Moreover, the 1RM direct test was the most reliable for PCK, HPK and MTCP.