The effects of combined elastic- and free-weight tension vs. free-weight tension on one-repetition maximum strength in the bench press.
The present study investigated the effects of training combining elastic tension, free weights, and the bench press. Eleven college-aged men (untrained) in the bench press participated in the 13-week study. The participants were first given instructions and then practiced the bench press, followed by a one-repetition maximum (1RM) test of baseline strength. Subjects were then trained in the bench press for 3 weeks to allow for the beginning of neural adaptation. After another 1RM test, participants were assigned to 1 of 2 conditions for the next 3 weeks of training: 85% Free-Weight Tension, 15% Elastic Tension (BAND), or 100% Free-Weight Tension (STAND). After 3 weeks of training and a third 1RM max test, participants switched treatments, under which they completed the final 3 weeks of training and the fourth 1RM test. Analysis via analysis of covariance revealed a significant (p ≤ 0.05) main effect for time and interaction effect for Treatment (BAND vs. STAND). Subsequent analysis via paired-samples t-test revealed the BAND condition was significantly better (p = 0.05) at producing raw gains in 1RM strength. (BAND 9.95 ± 3.7 kg vs. STAND 7.56 ± 2.8 kg). These results suggest that the addition of elastic tension to the bench press may be an effective method of increasing strength.
Department of Kinesiology, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, Louisiana, USA. davidbellar@mac.com
David M
DM
Bellar
Matthew D
MD
Muller
Jacob E
JE
Barkley
Chul-Ho
CH
Kim
Keisuke
K
Ida
Edward J
EJ
Ryan
Mathew V
MV
Bliss
Ellen L
EL
Glickman
D000328:Adult; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000379:methods*; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000502:physiology; D014891:Weight Lifting / Q000502:physiology*; D016474:Weight-Bearing; D055815:Young Adult