Exercise type, training load, velocity loss threshold, and sets affect the relationship between lifting velocity and perceived repetitions in reserve in strength-trained individuals

Purpose To explore the relationship between bar velocity and perceived repetitions in reserve (pRIR) for the bench press and the squat exercises during multiple training sessions in strength-trained individuals. Methods Nineteen well-trained individuals (9♀ and 10♂, 26 ± 4 yr, 174 ± 8 cm, 74 ± 9 kg...

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Main Authors: Gøran Paulsen, Roger Myrholt, Fredrik Mentzoni, Paul Andre Solberg
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: PeerJ Inc. 2025-08-01
Series:PeerJ
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Online Access:https://peerj.com/articles/19797.pdf
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author Gøran Paulsen
Roger Myrholt
Fredrik Mentzoni
Paul Andre Solberg
author_facet Gøran Paulsen
Roger Myrholt
Fredrik Mentzoni
Paul Andre Solberg
author_sort Gøran Paulsen
collection DOAJ
description Purpose To explore the relationship between bar velocity and perceived repetitions in reserve (pRIR) for the bench press and the squat exercises during multiple training sessions in strength-trained individuals. Methods Nineteen well-trained individuals (9♀ and 10♂, 26 ± 4 yr, 174 ± 8 cm, 74 ± 9 kg (mean ± standard deviation)) trained squats and bench press for six weeks. Within each week, they conducted three sessions with different loads, corresponding to ∼77–79%, ∼82–84%, and ∼87–89% of one repetition maximum (1RM). The mean velocity was measured at the bar for all lifts, and the participants terminated each set based on a pre-set velocity loss threshold (20–60%). After every set termination, the participants reported pRIR. Results Based on 2,972 unique measurements, we observed trivial to very large individual correlations between the objectively measured mean velocity and the pRIR (average r2 = 0.3 for both squat and bench press). Type of exercise (squat or bench press), velocity loss threshold, load, and sets affected the pRIR for a given mean velocity. Sex (females vs. males) and training weeks were unrelated to pRIR. Discussion and conclusion Our findings indicate that mean bar velocity and pRIR offer complementary—but not interchangeable—perspectives on strength training performance. Because pRIR was systematically influenced by exercise type, external load, proximity to failure, and set number, practitioners and researchers should interpret pRIR with caution and in the context of these variables.
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spelling doaj-art-cc16de3fe6f54aa1b46645bc193754ae2025-08-20T03:46:50ZengPeerJ Inc.PeerJ2167-83592025-08-0113e1979710.7717/peerj.19797Exercise type, training load, velocity loss threshold, and sets affect the relationship between lifting velocity and perceived repetitions in reserve in strength-trained individualsGøran Paulsen0Roger Myrholt1Fredrik Mentzoni2Paul Andre Solberg3Department of Physical Performance, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, NorwayDepartment of Physical Performance, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, NorwayNorwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports, Oslo, NorwayNorwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports, Oslo, NorwayPurpose To explore the relationship between bar velocity and perceived repetitions in reserve (pRIR) for the bench press and the squat exercises during multiple training sessions in strength-trained individuals. Methods Nineteen well-trained individuals (9♀ and 10♂, 26 ± 4 yr, 174 ± 8 cm, 74 ± 9 kg (mean ± standard deviation)) trained squats and bench press for six weeks. Within each week, they conducted three sessions with different loads, corresponding to ∼77–79%, ∼82–84%, and ∼87–89% of one repetition maximum (1RM). The mean velocity was measured at the bar for all lifts, and the participants terminated each set based on a pre-set velocity loss threshold (20–60%). After every set termination, the participants reported pRIR. Results Based on 2,972 unique measurements, we observed trivial to very large individual correlations between the objectively measured mean velocity and the pRIR (average r2 = 0.3 for both squat and bench press). Type of exercise (squat or bench press), velocity loss threshold, load, and sets affected the pRIR for a given mean velocity. Sex (females vs. males) and training weeks were unrelated to pRIR. Discussion and conclusion Our findings indicate that mean bar velocity and pRIR offer complementary—but not interchangeable—perspectives on strength training performance. Because pRIR was systematically influenced by exercise type, external load, proximity to failure, and set number, practitioners and researchers should interpret pRIR with caution and in the context of these variables.https://peerj.com/articles/19797.pdfStrength trainingRate of perceived exertionExercise monitoringSquatBench press
spellingShingle Gøran Paulsen
Roger Myrholt
Fredrik Mentzoni
Paul Andre Solberg
Exercise type, training load, velocity loss threshold, and sets affect the relationship between lifting velocity and perceived repetitions in reserve in strength-trained individuals
PeerJ
Strength training
Rate of perceived exertion
Exercise monitoring
Squat
Bench press
title Exercise type, training load, velocity loss threshold, and sets affect the relationship between lifting velocity and perceived repetitions in reserve in strength-trained individuals
title_full Exercise type, training load, velocity loss threshold, and sets affect the relationship between lifting velocity and perceived repetitions in reserve in strength-trained individuals
title_fullStr Exercise type, training load, velocity loss threshold, and sets affect the relationship between lifting velocity and perceived repetitions in reserve in strength-trained individuals
title_full_unstemmed Exercise type, training load, velocity loss threshold, and sets affect the relationship between lifting velocity and perceived repetitions in reserve in strength-trained individuals
title_short Exercise type, training load, velocity loss threshold, and sets affect the relationship between lifting velocity and perceived repetitions in reserve in strength-trained individuals
title_sort exercise type training load velocity loss threshold and sets affect the relationship between lifting velocity and perceived repetitions in reserve in strength trained individuals
topic Strength training
Rate of perceived exertion
Exercise monitoring
Squat
Bench press
url https://peerj.com/articles/19797.pdf
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