Abstract
The target of this study was to investigate the acute effect of a supramaximal augmented eccentric load on the kinematics and myoelectric activity during the concentric phase of the lift in a traditional bench press. Ten resistance-trained males (age 24 ± 6.4 years, height 1.80 ± 0.07 m, body-mass 87.2 ± 16.9 kg) performed two repetitions at 110/85% of the 1-RM in the dynamic accentuated external resistance (DAER) group and two repetitions at 85/85% of the 1-RM for the control group in a traditional bench press. The barbell kinematics, joint kinematics and myoelectric activity of eight muscles were measured in the eccentric phase and the pre-sticking, sticking and post-sticking regions. The main findings were that the sticking region started at a lower barbell height and that a lower barbell velocity was observed in the sticking region during the second repetition in the DAER condition compared to the control condition. Additionally, the lateral deltoid muscle and clavicle part of the pectoralis were more active during the eccentric loading compared to the control condition for the second repetition. Furthermore, higher myoelectric activity was measured during the second repetition in the sticking region for the eccentric loading condition in both pectoralis muscles, while the sternal parts of the pectoralis and anterior deltoid were more active during the second repetition of the control condition in the post-sticking region. Based on our findings, it can be concluded that the supramaximal loading in the descending phase with 110% of the 1-RM in the bench press does not have an acute and positive effect of enhanced performance in the ascending phase of the lift at 85% of 1-RM. Instead, fatigue occurs when using this eccentric load during a bench press.
Highlights
The traditional bench press is a classic weight-resistance exercise for the upper body and it is used both in bodybuilding and in the sport of powerlifting as one of the competition exercises
The post hoc tests showed that the velocity at vmax1 was lower in repetition two compared with one in both conditions and that vecc and vmin for the control condition were higher than for the dynamic accentuated external resistance (DAER) condition (Figures 1 and 2)
This resulted in the earlier occurrence of vmax2 and the total ascending lifting time in the control condition in repetition one when compared with the eccentric loading condition
Summary
The traditional bench press is a classic weight-resistance exercise for the upper body and it is used both in bodybuilding and in the sport of powerlifting as one of the competition exercises. Several studies have shown that the eccentric phase influences the concentric when it comes to execution. This phenomenon is known as the countermovement cycle [2,3,4]. Elliott and Wood [3] found that the participants achieved a 14% increase in strength with a countermovement bench press compared to a pure concentric bench press. They speculated that the strength increase was due to an increase in the force output in the first 200 ms for the countermovement bench press due to a higher pre-activation of the muscles as well as the contractile element potentiation
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
