The validity of submaximal ratings of perceived exertion to predict one repetition maximum

The One Repetition Maximum (1-RM) test is commonly used to assess strength. However, direct assessments of 1-RM are time consuming and unsafe for novice lifters. Whilst various equations exist to predict 1-RM, there is limited research on the validity of these equations. The purpose of this study was to assess the validity of using sub-maximal ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) to predict 1-RM in young adults, using the Borg 6-20 RPE Scale. Twenty healthy participants (ten male (Mean +/- SD, 20.8 +/- 0.6 y, 75.7 +/- 9.3 kg, 1.8 +/- 0.07 m) and ten female (20.3 +/- 0.7 y, 68.4 +/- 10.0 kg, 1.68 +/- 0.03 m)) completed two trials involving resistance exercises for both the upper and lower body. In the first trial the 1-RM for the bilateral biceps curl ( BC) and the bilateral knee extension ( KE) were determined for each participant. In the second trial, participants performed blinded repetitions which were equivalent to 20, 40 and 60 % of 1-RM for both exercises. The RPE was recorded immediately after two repetitions had been completed at each intensity. The order of intensity of the repetitions was randomly assigned with participants wearing blindfolds to exclude the possibility of predetermined judgments about load and RPE. Individual RPE recorded at each intensity was subjected to linear regression analysis and the line of best fit was extrapolated to RPE 20 to predict 1-RM in both exercises. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between the 1-RM predicted from RPE 20 and measured 1-RM for both exercises for the men and women. Measured and predicted values for men were 46.0 +/- 4.6 and 45.2 +/- 6.1 kg for biceps curl, and 46.3 +/- 3.8 and 43.0 +/- 7.1 kg for knee extension, respectively. Measured and predicted values for women were 18.6 +/- 5.7 and 19.3 +/- 5.6 kg for biceps curl, and 25.5 +/- 9.6 and 27.2 +/- 12.6 kg for knee extension, respectively. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients between actual and predicted 1-RM for the BC and KE were 0.97 and 0.92, respectively. These results provide evidence that submaximal ratings of perceived exertion can be used to provide reasonably accurate estimates of 1-RM in young and active men and women.