REF-585 · González-Badillo & Sánchez-Medina, 2010 · International Journal of Sports Medicine, · Paper · PubMed
Movement velocity as a measure of loading intensity
The load-velocity profile (autoregulating LOAD, not just volume)
Protocol
Methodological study: one hundred and twenty strength-trained males performed a bench-press test (T1) with increasing loads to determine each one's 1RM and full load-velocity profile (from the abstract).
Fifty-six of them repeated the test (T2) after 6 weeks of training.
Measures: mean propulsive velocity (MPV) at each %1RM and the mean velocity attained with 1RM; stability of the relationship from T1 to T2 and across individual relative strength.
Key Findings
Bench press: near-perfect mean-propulsive-velocity ↔ %1RM relationship (R²=0.98); velocity at 1RM = 0.16 ± 0.04 m/s.
After 6 wk, 1RM rose 9.3% yet the velocity for each %1RM stayed stable — the profile is robust to strength changes.
Enables: estimate 1RM without maximal testing; read actual %1RM from the first rep's velocity; prescribe/monitor by velocity.
Practical Application
Use a velocity target (encoder/validated app) to auto-adjust the day's load: faster than target = fresh, add load; slower = the kg is effectively heavier, reduce.
Estimate 1RM daily from a warm-up rep — avoids maximal testing that costs a concurrent endurance athlete recovery.
Pair with velocity-loss caps to autoregulate BOTH load (this) and volume (REF-516).
Limitations
Bench-press only; the load-velocity equation & 0.16 m/s are exercise-specific — each lift needs its own profile; requires velocity feedback + maximal intent.
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How this entry was checked and changed
Why this level
(foundational, large n)
Content correction 2026-09-27
2026-09-28: added Protocol from the abstract (Europe PMC PMID 20180176).