Comparison of Absolute and Relative Upper Body Peak Power in Division I College Football Players

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between bench press absolute and relative peak power among different positions in Division I collegiate football players METHODS: Fourteen lineman (mean age = 19.57 ± 1.45 yrs; mass = 266.71 ± 34.46 kg) and 11 skill position (age = 19.64 ± 1.43 yrs; mass = 197.16 ± 22.66) players performed a multiple repetition bench press at 50% of their 1 repetition-maximum (1-RM). During each repetition, each participant was instructed to move the barbell as fast as possible during the concentric action of raising the bar from the chest to full arm extention. Peak power was measured using the Tendo Fitrodyne Weightlifting Analyzer (Tendo Sports Machines, Slovak Republic). The Tendo unit has a tether that attaches to the barbell which measured barbell velocity during the concentric phase of the lift. The load of the lift was entered into the Tendo unit which calculated peak power per repetition. Peak power was derived from the repetition that produced the highest power value. An independent samples t-test was used for the statistical analyses. An alpha of P ≤ 0.05 was used to determine statistical significance. RESULTS: Absolute peak power values were significantly greater (P =.02) for lineman (889 ± 160.9 W) when compared to the skill (736.5 ± 130.96 W) position group. However, there was no differences between groups in relative peak power. In addition, the lineman were significantly heavier (P ≤.001) when compared to the skill position players. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that absolute bench press peak power values are greater in lineman when compared to skill position Division I collegiate football players. However, these differences no longer exist when normalized to body mass.