Reliability in One-Repetition Maximum Performance in People with Parkinson's Disease

Abstract EN

Strength training is an effective modality to improve muscular strength and functional performance in people with Parkinson's disease (PWP).

One-repetition maximum (1-RM) is the gold standard assessment of strength; however, PWP suffer from day-to-day variations in symptom severity and performance characteristics, potentially adversely affecting the reliability of 1-RM performance.

Herein, we assessed the reliability of 1-RM in PWP.

Forty-six participants completed two sessions of 1-RM testing of knee extension, knee flexion, chest press, and biceps curl at least 72 hours apart.

Significantly differences between testing sessions were identified for knee extension (P < 0.001), knee flexion (P = 0.042), and biceps curl (P = 0.001); however, high reliability (ICC > 0.90) was also identified between sessions.

Interestingly, almost third of subjects failed to perform better on the second testing session.

These findings suggest that 1-RM testing can be safely performed in PWP and that disease-related daily variability may influence 1-RM performance.