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Accommodating resistance (AR) is a training technique that includes attaching elastic bands or chains to a loaded barbell to alter the resistance profile throughout the barbell movement. This study was the first to quantify the effects of AR versus a traditional resistance (TR) training program on changes in strength and power profiles in a trained female cohort. Resistance-trained (training history: 2.4 ± 1.4 years) females (age: 22.1 ± 3.0 years) completed baseline and postintervention tasks which included 1 repetition maximum (1 RM) testing in the back squat (BS) and bench press (BP), a repetitions to failure in the BP (60% of 1RM), and 1 30-s Wingate test. After baseline testing, subjects were stratified (based on relative strength) into either the AR (n = 9) or TR (n = 10) group and then completed a supervised, 7-week training intervention. Both groups improved their 1RM in both lifts, but no statistical differences were found between groups in 1 RM for BS, BP, or BP to failure (p > 0.05). However, the AR group increased Wingate peak power (837 ± 221 to 901 ± 215 W; p 5 0.04), whereas TR (868 ± 244 to 8,343 ± 182 W; p = 0.47) did not. This study supports AR with lighter relative barbell load incurs similar strength adaptations as TR. For coaches training athletes concerned with power, AR may be advantageous for improving rate of force development as demonstrated by large increases in peak Wingate power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to establish whether a resistance exercise for the upper body may generate a postactivation performance enhancement (PAPE) in the lower body. Thirteen resistance-trained men (age = 26.4 ± 3.3 years, body mass = 76.9 ± 6.3 kg, and height = 177.6 ± 5.2 cm) participated in the present investigation and were tested for upper-body and lower-body power (bench press throw and countermovement jump power [CMJP] tests). Subjects were also tested for maximum force and electromyographic (EMG) activation of quadriceps muscles while performing an isometric leg extension. All assessments were performed before and 8 minutes after a high-intensity (HI: 5 sets of 1 rep at 90% of 1 repetition maximum [1RM]) bench press protocol, a high-power protocol (POW: 5 sets of 1 rep at 30% of 1RM with maximum explosive intent), and a control trial (CON). Subjects performed all trials in a randomized order and on different days. A significant trial × time interaction was detected for CMJP (p = 0.049). This parameter was significantly increased following the HI protocol only (p = 0.024). A significant interaction was also noted for EMG with a significant improvement following the HI protocol (p = 0.032) and a significant decrease following the POW protocol (p = 0.020). No other significant effects were detected (p > 0.05). The results of this investigation indicate that a HI bench press protocol may produce a PAPE in the lower-body power and increase the neuromuscular activation of leg extensor muscles. The POW bench press protocol did not show any positive effects on lower-body performance. Athletes and practitioners may take advantage from the inclusion of upper-body HI resistance exercises throughout complex resistance workouts to improve lower-body power output. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was 2 fold: (a) to determine whether differences in mean concentric velocity (MCV), repetitions-to-failure (RTF), measured 1 repetition maximum (1RM), and 1RM prediction methods vary between lifter and spotter sex and (b) determine the accuracy of velocity-based 1RM (MCV1RM) and repetitions-to-failure-based 1RM (RTF1RM) prediction equations in the presence of either a male or female spotter. Twenty resistance-trained individuals (50% men) participated in this study. The initial 2 visits involved measuring 1RM for the bench press with a male or female spotter. Visits 3 and 4 required subjects to lift loads at 30 (5-repetitions), 50 (5-repetitions), and 70% 1RM (RTF) in the presence of a male or female spotter. Velocity-based 1RM was determined through individual regression equations using the submaximal loads (MCV30, MCV50, and MCV70). Repetitions-to-failure-based 1RM was determined through the RTF at 70% 1RM using Wathen (Wathen1RM), Mayhew (Mayhew1RM), and Epley (Epley1RM) equations. There were significant interactions when assessing Wathen1RM and Mayhew1RM (p < 0.05). Female lifters produced significantly higher estimated 1RM values during the male spotter condition using Wathen1RM and Mayhew1RM than the female spotter condition (p = 0.032 and 0.033, respectively). MCV1RM and Epley1RM produced smaller mean differences than Wathen1RM and Mayhew1RM when compared with measured 1RM. However, MCV1RM produced the largest standard error of estimate, whereas Epley1RM produced the lowest values. Epley1RM should be used over MCV1RM, Wathen1RM, and Mayhew1RM when loads up to 70% 1RM are implemented. Also, spotter sex only seems to impact female lifters when using the RTF1RM prediction equations of Wathen1RM and Mayhew1RM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to investigate the influence of subjects' strength level on both the ability to maintain power output performance and the physiological and perceived exertion responses during a power training session when different rest intervals (RI) are used. Thirty-eight (18 men and 20 women) subjects were divided into a stronger or weaker group based on their ability to produce peak power output. Testing was performed using the same protocol (5 sets of 8 repetitions with 40% of 1 repetition maximum) in the bench press throw exercise, but differing the RI between sets (1, 2, and 3 minutes). During the sessions, mechanical (peak power), physiological ([La-]) and perceptual (RPE) variables were measured. In addition, delayed onset muscular soreness (DOMS) 24 and 48 hours after the training session was reported. Both stronger and weaker (men and women) groups showed significant impairments in mechanical, physiological, and perceptual data when resting 1 minute. Nevertheless, although stronger groups were able to sustain power output over the sets when using the 2-minute RI, weaker groups needed at least 3 minutes to maintain power output performance. Therefore, strength level heavily influences the rest interval required during a power training session and should be taken into account when prescribing such training sessions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the time course of 96 hours of muscle recovery after 3 different chest press exercises with different stability requirements in resistance-trained men. Twenty-seven men (23.5 ± 3.8 years) were randomly assigned to one of the 3 groups: (a) Smith machine bench press; (b) barbell bench press; or (c) dumbbell bench press. Participants performed 8 sets of 10 repetition maximum with 2 minutes rest between sets. Muscle thickness, peak torque (PT), and soreness were measured pre, post, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours after exercise. There were no differences in the time course of PT or muscle thickness values of the pectoralis major (p = 0.98 and p = 0.91, respectively) or elbow extensors (p = 0.07 and p = 0.86, respectively) between groups. Muscle soreness of the pectoralis major was also not different between groups (p > 0.05). However, the Smith machine and barbell groups recovered from triceps brachii muscle soreness by 72 hours after exercise (p > 0.05), whereas the dumbbell group did not present any triceps brachii muscle soreness after exercise (p > 0. 05). In conclusion, resistance-trained men experience similar muscle damage recovery after Smith machine, barbell, and dumbbell chest press exercise. However, muscle soreness of the elbow extensors takes a longer time to recover after using a barbell chest press exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the results of a study which investigated the effect of periodized resistance training on upper-body muscle strength and endurance. Methods of predicting one-repetition maximum bench press performance were also studied in this context. An overview of related previous research is provided, along with details of the experimental protocol.

The article presents a study that examines the effect on Smith machine bench press throw performance of the use of a counterbalance weight system. Ten men and fourteen women participated, Results indicated the counterbalance weight system diminished the performance measurements of bench press throws at light and moderate loads.

The article presents a study that examined the impact on performance in strength training of acute prior consumption of caffeine. Caffeine consumption was seen aid performance in the leg press exercise by a small but noticeable amount, but not the upper-body exercises studied. The use of caffeine to enhance strength training was thus seen to have limited value, although further study is said to be warranted.

The article presents a study which looked at the influence of exercise order on maximum muscle volume and strength following 12 weeks of nonlinear periodized resistance training. Exercises used include triceps extensions, biceps curls, and bench presses. Results suggest that performing small muscle group exercises prior to large muscle group exercises can increase bench press strength.

The article reports on research conducted to investigate the factors that influence the maximum number of repetitions in two upper body resistance exercises called the biceps curl and the bench press. Researchers evaluated 13 male athletes. They determined that several factors, including an athlete's training status and intensity levels at which the exercises are performed, impact the maximum number of repetitions which could be conducted. The results' impact on resistance training is discussed.

Exercise or Swiss balls are increasingly being used with conventional resistance exercises. There is little evidence supporting the efficacy of this approach compared to traditional resistance training on a stable surface. Previous studies have shown that force output may be reduced with no change in muscle electromyography (EMG) activity while others have shown increased muscle EMG activity when performing resistance exercises on an unstable surface. This study compared 1RM strength, and upper body and trunk muscle EMG activity during the barbell chest press exercise on a stable (flat bench) and unstable surface (exercise ball). After familiarization, 13 subjects underwent testing for 1RM strength for the barbell chest press on both a stable bench and an exercise ball, each separated by at least 7 days. Surface EMG was recorded for 5 upper body muscles and one trunk muscle from which average root mean square of the muscle activity was calculated for the whole 1RM lift and the concentric and eccentric phases. Elbow angle during each lift was recorded to examine any range-of-motion differences between the two surfaces. The results show that there was no difference in 1 RM strength or muscle EMG activity for the stable and unstable surfaces. In addition, there was no difference in elbow range-of-motion between the two surfaces. Taken together, these results indicate that there is no reduction in 1RM strength or any differences in muscle EMG activity for the barbell chest press exercise on an unstable exercise ball when compared to a stable flat surface. Moreover, these results do not support the notion that resistance exercises performed on an exercise ball are more efficacious than traditional stable exercises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present investigation was to determine if significant differences exist among 3 different periodization programs in eliciting changes in strength. Twenty-eight recreationally trained college-aged volunteers (mean = SD; 22.29 = 3.98) of both genders were tested for bench press, leg press, body fat percentage, chest circumference, and thigh circumference during initial testing. After initial testing, subjects were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 training groups: (a) linear periodization (n = 9), (b) daily undulating periodization (n = 10), or (c) weekly undulating periodization (n = 9). The training regimen for each group consisted of a 9-week, 3-day-per-week program. Training loads were assigned as heavy (90%, 4 repetition maximum [4RM]), medium (85%, 6RM), or light (80%, 8RM) for bench press and leg press exercises. Subjects were familiarized with the CR-10 rated perceived exertion scale and instructed to achieve an 8 or 9 on the final repetition of each set for all other exercises. Subjects were then retested after 4 weeks of training. Training loads were then adjusted according to the new 1RM. Subjects were then retested after 5 more weeks of exercise. For all subjects, significant (p < 0.05) increases in bench press and leg press strength were demonstrated at all time points (T1-T3). No significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed between groups for bench press, leg press, body fat percentage, chest circumference, or thigh circumference at all time points. These results indicate that no separation based on periodization model is seen in early-phase training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that a repetitions-to-maximum test is a predicator of a 1 repetition maximum (1RM) performance for evaluating upper and lower body strength in women high school athletes. Fifty-seven high school athletes ages 14-18 participated in this study. All of the participants completed a 1RM bench (1RMBP) and leg press (1RMLP) test, as well as leg press repetitions-to-fatigue (91 kg; LPRTF91) and bench press repetitions-to-fatigue (27 kg; BPRTF27) tests. A Pearson product correlation and regression analysis was used to determine relationships between 1RM strength and the repetitions-to-fatigue for upper and lower body strength. On the basis of the data analysis, it was concluded that BPRTF27 had a high correlation with 1RMBP strength (r = 0.802) and LPRTF91 had a correlation with 1RMLP strength (r = 0.793), indicating that these test measures were viable alternatives to 1RM testing for strength assessment. A regression analysis further confirmed that BPRTF27 was a significant variables in developing the model 1RMBP = 28.88 ° (0.68)BPRTF27 for predicting upper body strength (p - 0.001). Similar results occurred 1RMLP = 106.3 ° (2.4)LPRTF91 in developing the lower body model (p - 0.001). From data analysis, it was concluded that repetitions-to-fatigue testing can be used to evaluate upper and lower body strength in women high school athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]