The Influence Of Repetitions Per Set On Back Squat And Bench Press Repetitions In Reserve Rating Accuracy

PURPOSE: This study examined the effect of repetitions per set as a function of changing load (percentage of one-repetition maximum-1RM) on the accuracy of intraset repetitions in reserve (RIR) predictions in the back squat and bench press. METHODS: Twelve men (age: 21.17 ± 2.48 yrs; training experience: 3.22 ± 1.56 yrs; 1RM squat: 145.13 ± 23.77 kg; 1RM bench press: 106.17 ± 15.13 kg) completed three multi-set back squat and bench press training sessions that differed in the number of target repetitions (session 1: 10 repetitions; session 2: 8 repetitions; session 3: 6 repetitions). The last set of each session was performed until muscular failure in which subjects verbally indicated when they perceived 4 RIR and 1 RIR. For each RIR prediction, RIRDIFF [perceived RIR - actual RIR] was calculated. Differences in RIRDIFF were analyzed using both raw RIRDIFF (including positive and negative values) and absolute RIRDIFF (absolute values) via MANOVA and factorial ANOVA. The model controlled for the covariates percentage of 1RM, total repetitions per set, and session (first, second, or third session). RESULTS: Overall, RIR accuracy at the predicted 1 RIR was significantly greater (i.e., lower absolute RIRDIFF) than at the predicted 4 RIR in both the bench press (4 RIR: 1.00 ± 0.18 vs. 1 RIR: 0.69 ± 0.12; p = 0.028) and the squat (4 RIR: 1.43 ± 0.31 vs. 1 RIR: 0.79 ± 0.26; p = 0.007). No covariates significantly affected RIR accuracy (p = 0.085 - 0.518) at the predicted 1 RIR. However, at the predicted 4 RIR, the covariate repetitions per set affected raw RIRDIFF in both the squat (p = 0.007) and bench press (p < 0.001), indicating that subjects tended to overpredict RIR in lower repetition sets and underpredict RIR in higher repetition sets. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that trained men can predict RIR close to failure within <1 repetition of error and under various conditions. Further, trained men may overpredict RIR in lower repetition sets and underpredict RIR in higher repetition sets when training further from failure.