Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of this study was to examine whether the addition of very light loads for modeling the force–velocity (F–V) relationship during the bench press (BP) exercise can confirm its experimental linearity as well as to increase the reliability and concurrent validity of the F–V relationship parameters (maximum force (F0), maximum velocity (V0), F–V slope, and maximum power (Pmax)).MethodThe F–V relationship of 19 healthy men were determined using three different methods: (I) 6-loads free method: six loads performed during the traditional free-weight BP exercise (≈ 1–8–29–39–49–59 kg), (II) 4-loads free method: four loads performed during the traditional free-weight BP exercise (≈ 29–39–49–59 kg), and (III) 4-loads Smith method: four loads performed during the ballistic bench press throw exercise in a Smith machine (≈ 29–39–49–59 kg).ResultsThe linearity of the F–V relationship was very high and comparable for the three F–V methods (p = 0.204; median Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) = 0.99). The three methods were ranked from the most to the least reliable as follows: 6-loads free (coefficient of variation (CV) range = 3.6–6.7%) > 4-loads Smith (CV range = 4.6–12.4%) > 4-loads free (CV range = 3.8–14.5%). The higher reliability of the 6-loads free method was especially pronounced for F–V slope (CVratio ≥ 1.85) and V0 (CVratio ≥ 1.49) parameters, while the lowest difference in reliability was observed for F0 (CVratio ≤ 1.27). The 6-loads free and 4-loads free methods showed a very high concurrent validity respect to the 4-loads Smith method for F0 and Pmax (r ≥ 0.89), a moderate validity for the F–V slope (r = 0.66–0.82), and a low validity for V0 (r ≤ 0.37).DiscussionThe routine testing of the F–V relationship of upper-body muscles through the BP exercise should include trials with very light loading conditions to enhance the reliability of the F–V relationship.
Highlights
The force–velocity–power (F–V–P) relationships are being increasingly used to explore the function of the neuromuscular system (Alcazar et al, 2018; Cross et al, 2018; García-Ramos et al, 2018b)
The objectives of the present study were (I) to elucidate whether the F–V relationship during the bench press (BP) exercise remains linear when experimental points close to the velocity-intercept are modeled, (II) to compare the reliability of the F–V relationship parameters between the standard BPT testing procedure performed in a Smith machine (4-loads Smith method) and the testing procedure based on the BP performed with a free-weight barbell against the same loads (4-loads free method) as well as adding two light loads of one and eight kg (6-loads free method), and (III) to explore the concurrent validity of the F–V relationship parameters obtained from the 4-loads free and 6-loads free methods with respect to the standard 4-loads Smith method
The higher reliability of the 6-loads free method was especially pronounced for F–V slope (CVratio ! 1.85) and V0 (CVratio ! 1.49) parameters, while the lowest difference in reliability was observed for F0 (CVratio 1.27)
Summary
The force–velocity–power (F–V–P) relationships are being increasingly used to explore the function of the neuromuscular system (Alcazar et al, 2018; Cross et al, 2018; García-Ramos et al, 2018b). Note that while the force and velocity outputs obtained under a single load are inter-dependent (a higher force impulse inevitably produces a higher velocity), F0 and V0 are independent of each other (i.e., a change in F0 can be observed without a change in V0) In this regard, it has been proposed that each subject presents an optimal balance between F0 and V0 capacities and, the ratio between F0 and V0 (i.e., F–V slope) can be used to implement individualized resistance training programs (Morin & Samozino, 2016; Samozino et al, 2012). Due to the undeniable importance of the outcomes of the F–V relationship (i.e., F0, V0, F–V slope, and Pmax), a number of studies have been conducted to refine the testing procedure of the F–V relationship in different exercises (Alcazar et al, 2017; García-Ramos et al, 2017, 2018a; Lemaire et al, 2014; Pérez-Castilla et al, 2018). Discussion: The routine testing of the F–V relationship of upper-body muscles through the BP exercise should include trials with very light loading conditions to enhance the reliability of the F–V relationship
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