RESUMO
The present study compared neuromuscular activation, measured by surface electromyography (EMG) amplitude [measure by EMG peak (EMGPEAK)] and range of motion (ROM) where EMGPEAK occurred between two training protocols, matched by time under tension, but with a different number and duration of repetitions. Sixteen recreationally trained males performed 2 training protocols with 3 sets, 180â¯s of rest with 60% of one-repetition maximum(1RM) on the bench press performed in a Smith machine. Protocol A consisted of 6 repetitions with a repetition duration of 6â¯s and protocol B consisted of 12 repetitions with a repetition duration of 3â¯s. EMG activity of anterior deltoid, pectoralis major and triceps brachii muscles were recorded. The results showed a general higher EMG amplitude (regardless of the muscle) in protocol B (pâ¯=â¯0.010), and pectoral and triceps brachii consistently presented higher neuromuscular activation than anterior deltoid at both protocols (pâ¯=â¯0.007). Additionally, the ROM where EMGPEAK occurred in triceps brachii was in the middle of the concentric action (~50% of ROM), this occurred in the first half of the same action (~24% of ROM) in the other muscles. In conclusion, protocol B demonstrated an increased EMG amplitude over protocol A, although both protocols responded similarly by achieving the highest EMG amplitude at same ROM among the muscles analysed.