The Relationship between Maximum Pull-up Repetitions and First Repetition Mean Concentric Velocity

Mean concentric velocity (MCV) of exercise execution has been used by strength and conditioning professionals to improve exercise technique, provide accurate feedback, and predict exercise 1 repetition maximum. There is still limited research on velocity-based training and currently only one research study on the pull-up exercise. The primary purpose of this research was to determine whether the maximum number of pull-ups an individual can perform can be predicted by the MCV of a single pull-up repetition. Forty-nine healthy men and women were recruited who reported they could do at least 2 pull-ups. Each subject performed a standardized warm-up, then a single pull-up repetition, followed by one set of pull-up repetitions to failure. The GymAware PowerTool, a linear position transducer, was used to measure the MCV of each pull-up repetition. Both the MCV of the single repetition and first repetition of the set to failure were recorded, and the greater of the 2 was used in later analysis. Weighted least squares linear regression was used to estimate the relationship between the single-repetition MCV and maximum amount of pull-up repetitions. We observed a statistically significant linear relationship between the maximum number of pull-ups and the MCV of a single pull-up repetition (y = -6.661 + 25.556x, R2 = 0.841). Prediction of the maximum pull-up number by a single repetition rather than testing the maximal pull-up number may improve efficiency and effectiveness of exercise testing batteries for military, police, and other populations.