(23) ACUTE STRENGTH ADAPTATIONS TO AUTOREGULATORY PROGRESSIVE RESISTANCE EXERCISE USING RELATIVE ADJUSTMENTS VS. ABSOLUTE ADJUSTMENTS

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate differences in acute strength adaptations using a novel relative APRE (r-APRE) training program as compared to absolute adjustments (a-APRE). Methods: Fourteen resistance trained males were separated into groups a-APRE (n=5; age: 21.3 ± 2.8yrs; height: 170.7 ± 6.5cm; weight: 79.8 ± 13.2kg; mean ± SD) or r-APRE (n=9; age: 21.3 ± 2.2yrs; height: 175.8 ± 6.7cm; weight: 65.6 ± 17.8kg; mean ± SD). Each group underwent 1 repetition maximum (1RM) testing for back squat (BS), bench press (BP), deadlift (DL), and overhead press (OP). Following, a 4-week r-APRE or a-APRE program was employed, consisting of 4 days per week, emphasizing a different pre-test 1RM exercises each day, in conjunction with 2-3 accessory movements at a self-selected weight equivalent to an 8 on the OMNI Rate of Perceived Exertion scale. Intra- and inter-session adjustments were made by reestablishing predicted 1RM using the Brzycki’s predicted 1RM equation, then, recalculating participants’ 85% 1RM (6RM) for the load of the subsequent working set for the r-APRE group. For the a-APRE group, individuals selected 0-15lb adjustments based on the number of repetitions completed during working sets. After the 4-week intervention, participants completed a post-test 1RM for BS, BP, DL, and OP. Separate mixed factorial analyses of variance (group [a-APRE v r-APRE] x time [pre v post]) were used to compare mean differences between groups following the training intervention. Results: There were no significant group x time interactions or main effects for OP (p = 0.83, p = 0.09; respectively) and BP (p = 0.87, p = 0.43; respectively). Additionally, there were no significant group x time interactions or group main effects for BS (p = 0.91, p = 0.485; respectively) or DL (p = 0.459, p = 0.672; respectively). However, a significant main effect of time was found for BS (p = 0.009), with means significantly increasing over time (317.611 ± 26.911 to 342.833 ± 24.335), and DL (p = 0.002) with means also increasing over time (322.556 ± 27.160 to 365.278 ± 22.617). Conclusions: These results suggest APRE significantly influences lower body strength. The lack of significance between groups illustrates that r-APRE is a comparable strategy for achieving strength adaptations.Practical Applications: Implementing r-APRE allows for dynamic load adjustments based on individual performance, making it a practical strategy for athletes seeking consistent strength adaptations. Acknowledgements: None