Accentuated Eccentric Loading in the Bench Press: Considerations for Eccentric and Concentric Loading.

Christopher B Taber,Jared R Morris,John P Wagle,Justin J Merrigan

doi:10.3390/sports9050054

Christopher B Taber, Jared R Morris + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/sports9050054

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Abstract

This study examined the effects of accentuated eccentric loading (AEL) on bench press velocities across a spectrum of concentric and eccentric loads. Ten strength trained men (bench press one-repetition maximum (1-RM): 124.3 ± 19.4 kg; relative strength ratio: 1.5 ± 0.2 kg∙body mass−1) participated. Subjects completed bench press repetitions using concentric loads from 30% to 80% 1-RM in 10% increments in each experimental session. The AEL protocols were implemented using 100% (AEL100) and 110% 1-RM (AEL110) loads during the eccentric action, while the eccentric load remained the same as the concentric for traditional loading (TRAD). Multilevel models analyzed the effects of each AEL protocol on concentric velocities across concentric loads (p < 0.05). Faster concentric velocities were observed at 30% 1-RM and 80% 1-RM with AEL100 compared to TRAD (p ≤ 0.05) but this effect was reduced for individuals moving the barbell through a greater displacement. Additionally, AEL110 presented a greater change in velocity from 30% to 80% 1-RM than TRAD (p ≤ 0.05). The AEL100 protocol resulted in faster concentric velocities throughout concentric loads of 30–80% 1-RM, but AEL110 may have been too great to elicit consistent performance enhancements. Thus, the efficacy of AEL at various concentric loads is dependent on the eccentric loading and barbell displacement.

Highlights

Post-activation performance enhancement manifested through faster bench press velocities at various concentric loads is an often-sought training outcome for strengthpower athletes that require rapid pressing actions within their sport (e.g., American football offensive lineman; track and field shot putter)
1-RM concentric loads, AEL protocols were implemented using 100% (AEL100) resulted in faster concentric velocities
As the displacement of the bar travel increased between individuals, the increase in concentric velocity due to AEL100 was decreased

Summary

Introduction

Post-activation performance enhancement manifested through faster bench press velocities at various concentric loads is an often-sought training outcome for strengthpower athletes that require rapid pressing actions within their sport (e.g., American football offensive lineman; track and field shot putter). One method of acutely enhancing concentric velocity is accentuated eccentric loading (AEL), which is implemented by overloading the eccentric action during exercises involving the complete stretch shortening cycle (i.e., eccentric to concentric action) [1]. During the bench press exercise, AEL has demonstrated efficacy in potentiating acute performances compared to traditional loading (TRAD) where the eccentric load is the same as the concentric load [2,3,4,5,6]. AEL did elicit a favorable effect on power output in the bench press with a fixed concentric load (50% 1-RM), while the corresponding optimal eccentric overload was unique to the individual [4]. The concentric loads used when implementing AEL have been shown to dictate the efficacy of AEL for increasing concentric velocity [3]. Others found no change in concentric velocity when using AEL with 105% and concentric loads of 80%

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