Issn Print: 0195-9131
Publication Date: 1997/05/01
PREDICTION OF REPETITIVE LIFTING ABILITY IN UNTRAINED WOMEN FROM MUSCULAR STRENGTH AND ENDURANCE 355
S. Meth; B. C. Nindl; L. A. Gotshalk; C. C. Loebel; S. A. Mazzetti; S. J. Fleck; R. U. Newton; W. J. Kraemer
Excerpt
The relationship between characteristics of muscular performance (e.g. size, strength, power, endurance) and occupational tasks has not been clearly defined. This study assessed the physical performance of 47 untrained women(22 ± 3 yr; 165 ± 6 cm; 62 ± 8 kg; 25 ± 5%BF) and identified via multiple regression analysis the best predictors of a repetitive lifting test (RLT). The RLT consisted of the maximum number of boxes (20.45 kg) that could be lifted from the floor to a height of 132 cm within a 10 min period (subjects were required to move between two boxes 2.4 m apart between lifts). Independent variables (IVs) included weight (wt), height(ht), MRI assessed arm and leg cross-sectional area, muscular strength 1RMs(bench press, squat, high pull, boxlift), upper and lower body explosive power(mechanical power determined from bench press throws and jump squats), muscular endurance (# of push-ups in 2 min and # of squat repetitions at a controlled rate with a 45 kg load) and aerobic capacity assessed from a 2 mile run (2MR in secs). The mean ±SD (range) for the RLT was: 92±25(20-159). For all IVs (excluding the 2MR) the following equation was generated: RLT (#) = 2.4(1RM boxlift in kg) + 0.70 (# of push-ups in 2 min) + 0.94 (Ht) - 146 [R=0.83; SEE = 15; p≤0.05]. When 2MR was included, the equation was: RLT (#) = 2.9(1RM boxlift in kg) - 0.05 (2MR in secs) + 73[R = 0.83; SEE = 14; p≤0.05]. Because the 1RM boxlift correlated higher than any of the other variables (r = 0.74) with RLT and entered into both equations, these results illustrate the importance of task-specific strength for predicting successful job performance. Also, the predictive value of a measure of aerobic capacity for RLT suggests that women can also benefit from endurance training for repetitive occupational tasks requiring total body strength and local muscular and aerobic endurance.
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
