The Influence of Resistance Training Experience on the Between-Day Reliability of Commonly Used Strength Measures in Male Youth Athletes

• Published in: Journal of strength and conditioning research 2017-07, Vol.31 (7), p.2005-2010
• Main Authors: Weakley, Jonathon J.S, Till, Kevin, Darrall-Jones, Joshua, Roe, Gregory A.B, Phibbs, Padraic J, Read, Dale B, Jones, Ben L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Athletes; Exercise; Football - physiology; Humans; Male; Measurement; Muscle Strength - physiology; Muscle, Skeletal - physiology; Physical training; Reliability; Reproducibility of Results; Resistance Training - methods; Sports training; Strength training
• ISSN: 1064-8011; 1533-4287
• DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000001883

ABSTRACTWeakley, JJS, Till, K, Darrall-Jones, J, Roe, GAB, Phibbs, PJ, Read, DB, and Jones, BL. The influence of resistance training experience on the between-day reliability of commonly used strength measures in male youth athletes. J Strength Cond Res 31(7)2005–2010, 2017—The purpose of this study was to determine the between-day reliability of commonly used strength measures in male youth athletes while considering resistance training experience. Data were collected on 25 male athletes over 2 testing sessions, with 72 hours rest between, for the 3 repetition maximum (3RM) front squat, chin-up, and bench press. Subjects were initially categorized by resistance training experience (inexperienced; 6–12 months, experienced; >2 years). The assessment of the between-day reliability (coefficient of variation [CV%]) showed that the front squat (experienced2.90%; inexperienced1.90%), chin-up (experienced1.70%; inexperienced1.90%), and bench press (experienced4.50%; inexperienced2.40%) were all reliable measures of strength in both groups. Comparison between groups for the error of measurement for each exercise showed trivial differences. When both groups were combined, the CV% for the front squat, bench press, and chin-up were 2.50, 1.80, and 3.70%, respectively. This study provides scientists and practitioners with the between-day reliability reference data to determine real and practical changes for strength in male youth athletes with different resistance training experience. Furthermore, this study demonstrates that 3RM front squat, chin-up, and bench press are reliable exercises to quantify strength in male youth athletes.