Abstract
The aim of this study was to compare the muscle activity between the sling shot assisted (SS) and control (CONT) flat barbell bench press for selected external loads of 70%, 85%, 100% one-repetition maximum (1RM). Ten resistance-trained men participated in the study (age = 22.2 ± 1.9 years, body mass = 88.7 ± 11.2 kg, body height = 179.5 ± 4.1, 1RM in the bench press = 127.25 ± 25.86 kg, and strength training experience = 6 ± 2.5 years). Evaluation of peak muscle activity of the dominant body side was carried out using surface electromyography (sEMG) recorded for the triceps brachii, pectoralis major, and anterior deltoid during each attempt. The three-way repeated measure ANOVA revealed statistically significant main interaction for condition x muscle group (p < 0.01; η2 = 0.569); load x muscle group (p < 0.01; η2 = 0.709); and condition x load (p < 0.01; η2 = 0.418). A main effect was also observed for condition (p < 0.01; η2 = 0.968); load (p < 0.01; η2 = 0.976); and muscle group (p < 0.01; η2 = 0.977). The post hoc analysis for the main effect of the condition indicated statistically significant decrease in %MVIC for the SS compared to CONT condition (74.9 vs. 88.9%MVIC; p < 0.01; ES = 0.39). The results of this study showed that using the SS significantly affects the muscle activity pattern of the flat bench press and results in its acute decrease in comparison to an equal load under CONT conditions. The SS device may be an effective tool both in rehabilitation and strength training protocols by increasing stability with a reduction of muscular activity of the prime movers.
Highlights
The bench press is one of the three competitive lifts performed in powerlifting
The presented study compared the activity of selected muscles during conventional and shot assisted (SS)-supported bench press at 70%, 85%, and 100% 100% one-repetition maximum (1RM) among resistance-trained men
Considering the results of our study, it can be stated that the SS elastic device significantly affected the muscle activity pattern of the flat bench press exercise
Summary
The bench press is one of the three competitive lifts performed in powerlifting. Depending on the structure of the movement, muscles with the highest involvement during the bench press movement include the anterior deltoid, pectoralis major, and triceps brachii [4,5,6,7,8]. According to Krol and Golas [9], the pectoralis major is the prime mover, while the anterior deltoid and triceps brachii act as supportive prime movers. It is worth noting that the external load alters the change in the pattern of muscle activity; for example, at maximal load, the pectoralis major acts as the supportive prime mover while the anterior deltoid becomes the prime mover [9]. Recruitment of motor units and the frequency of stimulations increase in parallel with the increase in external load, resulting in the achievement of the desired muscle tension and greater
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