It´s all about preferance , as my 39 STR full lordly heavy armour mighty morningstar 13 ps build. I don´t care if you´re 7 if and 21 STR or 15 STR and 0 if you´re just going to get one hitted. And that´s why we love me!
Higher str builds are much more viable for 2h/pole than for 1-handers and that's for a few reasons:
1. 1-handers have low damage values. As PS is a percentile-based increase, higher damage weapons benefit much more. The average damage of a 2h/pole is MUCH higher than a 1h.
2. 1-handers are short. Even the longest 1-hander is short compared to the average 2h or pole. As higher str builds have lower athletics, it's harder to get into range.
3. Shields weigh you down a lot. That reduces your movement speed even more, making it harder for you to get into range.
4. Lower agi means lower shield skill. Lower shield skill means a slower, easier to break shield.
For 1-handers as long as you have enough PS to where you don't glance regularly, you're good to go.
If you're using a 1h pierce or blunt weapon 4 is fine.
With a 1h cut weapon you'd want at least 5, but 6 is better.
6 athletics is also a good target, as it makes it easier to get into range with your shorter weapon, avoid kicks and compensate for your shield weight.
The reason I use 7 athletics is it makes it much easier to make use of speed bonus and held attacks. Those in combination give a MUCH higher damage increase than PS.
I think Egan said it best when he said something along the lines of, "For a shielder you'd want at least 6 athletics and 6 ps. Anything above that for either is just gravy."