Older Lifters Read Their Own Effort Just as Well as Younger Ones
Graded Preliminary — six-week parallel-group study in 26 adults, 13 younger and 13 older, with no control group and a small sample.
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- Participants
- 26
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This study suggests a few practice sessions can sharpen how well you judge your own effort.
Guessing how many reps you have left in the tank is a skill you can practice. In a small gym study, adults in their 60s were just as good at it as adults in their 30s, and both groups got noticeably better over six sessions. Their guessing error dropped by up to 2.3 reps on bench press and leg press. That matters because knowing your true effort level helps you train hard without going to failure every set.
Disclaimer: Research summaries are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your health routine.