The purpose of this study was to assess maximum strength (1RM) in the bench press and biceps curl exercises, and relate it to total body mass (BM) and fat-free mass (FFM), as well as to assess the maximum repetition number at different percentages of 1-RM. Eleven women (age: 24 ± 1.4 years) were submitted to body composition assessment, 1-RM tests, and maximum repetition tests at 50, 60, 70 and 80% of 1-RM. For data treatment, multiple linear regression, repeated measures ANOVA and paired t-test were used. FFM explains better than BM the 1-RM variance and can be used to determine a coefficient to estimate the training load. Significant differences were found in the maximum repetition numbers in all percentages and both exercises (bench press (p=0,000) and biceps curl (p=0,000). These results revealed a gradual decrease in the number of repetitions as the load increased.
Resistance Training; Muscle Strength; Eletromiography
