Performance Differences Between the Arched and Flat Bench Press in Beginner and Experienced Paralympic Powerlifters.

ABSTRACT: Neto, FR, Dorneles, JR, Luna, RM, Spina, MA, Gonçalves, CW, and Gomes Costa, RR. Performance differences between the arched and flat bench press in beginner and experienced Paralympic powerlifters. J Strength Cond Res 36(7): 1936-1943, 2022-The present study aimed to verify the differences of the total load, trajectory of the barbell in the sagittal plane, and mean velocity of the barbell between the arched and flat techniques of the bench press in beginner (BG) and experienced (EG) Paralympic powerlifters. Twenty beginners (age: 34.4 years; experience: 3.3 months) and 23 experienced (age: 35.5 years; experience: 9.8 months) Paralympic powerlifters were selected from a Rehabilitation Hospital Network and a Paralympic sports center. Subjects were assessed in the one-maximum repetition test of the bench press exercise using the flat and arched bench press techniques (48-72-hour interval between sessions). Maximum strength, trajectory of the barbell in the sagittal plane, and mean velocity of the barbell were measured to compare the techniques and the groups. The total load corrected with the Haleczko formula was significantly higher in EG compared with BG (∆ = 21.1%; effect sizes [ES] = 0.39, p ≤ 0.05). There were no significant differences for all analyzed outcomes comparing the arched and flat techniques. During the eccentric phase of the bench press, all assessed differences ranged from -16.6 to 23.1% and presented ES of trivial to moderate. On the concentric phase, the assessed differences ranged from -20.7 to 13.9% and presented ES of trivial to moderate. The total load, trajectory of the barbell in the sagittal plane, and mean velocity of the barbell were not significantly different between the arched and flat techniques for experienced and beginner powerlifting athletes during both the eccentric and concentric phase of the movement. However, further analyses are essential to determine the best technique for athletes.

Handgrip Strength Cutoff Points for Functional Independence and Wheelchair Ability in Men With Spinal Cord Injury.

OBJECTIVES: To determine optimal handgrip strength (HGS) cutoff points for greater functional independence and wheelchair skills in men with spinal cord injury (SCI), and to establish predictive equations for functional independence and wheelchair ability in men with SCI, based on demographic characteristics, HGS, and functionality. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study conducted at a rehabilitation hospital, 54 men with SCI were recruited and stratified into high and low paraplegia groups. All participants performed a maximum HGS test to determine cutoff points for the Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM-III) and Adapted Manual Wheelchair Circuit (AMWC). The primary outcomes were the SCIM-III, AMWC, and HGS. Demographic characteristics obtained from participants' electronic medical records were the secondary outcomes, used as predictor variables of functional independence. RESULTS: The SCIM-III scale, performance score, and 3-minute overground wheeling test presented significant regression equations (R = 0.45, R = 0.69, and R = 0.72). The HGS showed a cutoff point of 102.5 kilogram force (kgf) to achieve a score of 70 on the SCIM-III and a 3-minute overground wheeling distance of 270 m. The HGS cutoff point to obtain a performance score of 23.7 seconds was 93.0 kgf. CONCLUSION: The HGS was a significant predictor for the SCIM-III score, AMWC performance score, and 3-minute overground wheeling test. Three significant predictive equations were established based on HGS. The cutoff points could be adopted as parameters for optimal functional independence and wheelchair skills.