Effects of Synergist vs. NonSynergist Split Resistance Training Routines on Acute Neuromuscular Performance in Resistance-Trained Men.

Castanheira, RPM, Ferreira-Junior, JB, Celes, RS, Rocha-Junior, VA, Cadore, EL, Izquierdo, M, and Bottaro, M. Effects of synergist vs. nonsynergist split resistance training routines on acute neuromuscular performance in resistance-trained men. J Strength Cond Res 31(12): 3482-3488, 2017-The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of synergist (SN) vs. nonsynergist (NS) split resistance training routines on the acute neuromuscular performance of the elbow flexors in resistance-trained men. Fifteen resistance-trained men (age: 23.2 ± 4.0 years, height: 173.0 ± 0.08 cm, and body mass: 78.38 ± 9.31 kg) randomly performed 3 training routines separated by an interval of 7 days: (a) pull-pull exercises (SN), which included 6 sets of 10 repetition maximum (RM) of a seated row exercise followed by 4 sets of 10RM of the preacher biceps curl exercise; (b) push-pull exercises (NS), which included 6 sets of 10RM of the bench press exercise followed by 4 sets of 10RM of the preacher biceps curl exercise; and (c) Control, which included 4 sets of 10RM of the preacher biceps curl exercise. Elbow flexors peak torque, total work, and the amplitude of electromyography signal (EMG root mean square) were measured during the elbow flexor isokinetic exercise. Peak torque was 10.2 and 3.9% higher during Control condition when compared with the SN and NS conditions, respectively (p ≤ 0.05). Peak torque was also 6.0% greater in the NS condition than the SN condition (p ≤ 0.05). Moreover, total work was 5.1% greater in the NS condition than the SN condition. Additionally, EMG findings did not differ among conditions (p > 0.05). In conclusion, a push and pull NS split routine is recommended to maximize elbow flexor training performance (i.e., lower acute loading effect) in trained subjects.

Graduated compression sleeves: effects on metabolic removal and neuromuscular performance.

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of upper-body graduated compression sleeves (CS) on neuromuscular and metabolic responses during a power training. Fifteen resistance trained men (age: 23.07 ± 3.92 years; body mass: 76.13 ± 7.62 kg; height: 177 ± 6 cm) performed 2 separate power training protocols, either wearing CS or placebo sleeves (PS), in a counterbalanced fashion. Participants first performed a familiarization session and a bench press 1 repetition maximum (1RM) test. The training protocol consisted of 6 sets of 6 repetitions of bench press with a load of 50% 1RM. Statistical analysis compared mean power, peak power, blood lactate, muscle activation, isometric strength, and repetitions to failure. Mean and peak power significantly (p ≤ 0.05) decreased with increasing sets. However, there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) on mean and peak power between protocols. Blood lactate clearance was also not significantly different (p > 0.05) between CS and PS. Muscle activation was not different between PRE and POST (p > 0.05) for any of the muscles analyzed. Isometric strength decreased from PRE to POST (p ≤ 0.05) and was not different between CS and PS. Repetitions to failure were not different between protocols (p > 0.05). These results demonstrate no positive performance effects when wearing graduated CS during power exercise in young trained men.

Effects of Horizontal and Incline Bench Press on Neuromuscular Adaptations in Untrained Young Men.

The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of horizontal and incline bench press as well as the combination of both exercises on neuromuscular adaptation in untrained young men. Forty-seven untrained men were randomly assigned to one of the three groups: 1) a horizontal bench press group (n= 15), 2) an incline bench press group (n= 15), and 3) a combination (horizontal + incline) group (n= 17). Training was conducted once a week for eight weeks, with equalized number of sets among groups. Muscle thickness, isometric strength and electromyography (EMG) amplitude of the pectoralis major were measured one week before and after the training period. There was no difference between groups for the change in horizontal bench press isometric strength (~ 10 kg increase, p=0.776) or incline bench press isometric strength (~ 11 kg increase, p=0.333). Changes in muscle thickness differed only in one of the three sites. The changes in the second intercostal space of the pectoralis major was greatest in the incline pressure group compared with the horizontal [mean difference (95% CI) of 0.62 (0.23, 1.0) cm, p=0.003] and combination groups [mean difference (95% CI) of 0.50 (0.14, 0.86) cm, p=0.008]. The change in EMG amplitude following training differed between groups in only one out of the four sites. The present results indicate that strength and conditioning professionals might consider that horizontal and incline bench press exercises, or a combination of both exercises can render similar change in general strength.