Acute Effects Of Elastic Bands On Force, Velocity, And Power During Deadlifts At Various Loads

Abstract

Consequences of combining free weight and elastic bands during exercise are poorly understood. PURPOSE:The purpose of this study was to examine acute effects of elastic bands on force, velocity, and power characteristics during a deadlift exercise at various loads. METHODS: Twelve men (age 24.08 ± 2.35 y, height 175.94±5.38cm, mass 85.58±12.49 kg, deadlift 1RM 188.64±16.13 kg) completed three conditions at both 60% and 85% of their 1RM in random order. 1. B1 = 80% of the total resistance came from free-weights and 20% from elastic bands. 2. B2 = 65% resistance from free-weights and 35% from bands. 3) NB = traditional condition where 100% of resistance came from free-weight. The average resistance over the entire deadlift was equated for all conditions. RESULTS: Regardless of load, force was inversely related to band resistance (p B1 (60% = 2359N ± 245, 85% = 2586N ± 218) > B2 (60% = 2292N ± 236, 85% = 2482N ± 228) and average force: NB (60% = 1568N ± 182, 85% = 1875N ± 181) > B1 (60% = 1488N ± 163, 85% = 1720N ± 151) > B2 (60% = 1415N ± 168, 85% = 1617N ±1 54). The opposite relationship was apparent for peak velocity: NB (60% = 1.12 m/s ± 0.17, 85% = 0.73 m/s ± 0.15) < B1 (60% = 1.33 m/s ± 0.19, 85% = 0.92 m/s ± 0.18) < B2 (60% = 1.43 m/s ± 0.16, 85% = 1.03 m/s ± 0.19) and average velocity: NB (60% = 0.52 m/s ± 0.06, 85% = 0.33 m/s ± 0.05) < B1 (60% = 0.63 m/s ± 0.07, 85% = 0.43 m/s ± 0.08) NB = 815 ± 168W). However, peak power was altered hierarchically B2>B1>NB (2543 ± 31W, 2230 ± 571W, 1894 ± 511W, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of elastic bands altered force and velocity characteristics oppositely, regardless of load. Interestingly, when lifting at higher intensities (85% 1RM), more resistance from bands results in higher peak and relative power than does less resistance from bands. However, the choice of band appears to have less impact on power when lifting at lower intensities (60% 1RM).