Changes in upper body power following heavy-resistance strength training in college men.
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of heavy-resistance strength training on measures of bench press power (BPP) using absolute loads and seated shot put (SSP) performance. Twenty-four college men were measured for 1-RM bench press, BPP, and SSP before and after weight training twice weekly for 12 weeks. BPP was measured with free weights using a digital timing system and randomly assigned loads equivalent to 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70% and 80% of the 1-RM. Post-training tests used the same absolute loads as during the pre-training test to assess BPP. Following training BPP increased significantly at each load, shifting the power curve upward by an average of 13.6%. The 1-RM bench press increased significantly by 9.1%, but the SSP increased nonsignificantly by only 1.8%. Peak power was produced at approximately 40-50% of the 1-RM before and after training. Changes in SSP distance were nonsignificantly correlated (r=0.27-0.20) with the increases in BPP. Resistance training shifts the power curve in a positive direction when the measurements are determined with absolute loads, but the increased power may not be transferred to an absolute performance task like the SSP.
Mayhew
J L
JL
Human Performance Laboratory, Truman State University, Kirksville, Missouri 63501, USA.
Ware
J S
JS
Johns
R A
RA
Bemben
M G
MG
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001132:Arm / Q000502:physiology*; D001415:Back / Q000502:physiology; D016552:Ergometry; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006615:Hip / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D010369:Pectoralis Muscles / Q000502:physiology; D012782:Shoulder / Q000502:physiology*; D013909:Thorax / Q000502:physiology; D014891:Weight Lifting / Q000193:education / Q000502:physiology*