Effect of Varied Weight-Training Loads on the Strength of University Freshmen

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of the following weight-training loads on the acquisition of strength: three groups of seven maximum repetitions, four groups of five maximum repetitions, and five groups of three maximum repetitions. Fifty-five randomly selected subjects were further randomly assigned to one of the three training programs. All subjects performed two work-outs per week over a 9-week period on the curl, bench press, and squat. Strength was evaluated at the beginning and end of the experiment by ascertaining the maximum poundage which the lifter could handle for the performance of one repetition. The best lifts on each of the curl, bench press, and squat were summed and divided by body weight to give a strength/weight ratio. Within-group t ratios indicated that all groups registered strength gains that were highly significant. An analysis of covariance showed that no one group attained improvements that were significantly different from those of other groups.