Comparison of Mechanical Outputs Between the Traditional and Ballistic Bench Press: Role of the Type of Variable.

Pestaña-Melero, FL, Jaric, S, Pérez-Castilla, A, Rojas, FJ, and García-Ramos A. Comparison of mechanical outputs between the traditional and ballistic bench press: role of the type of variable. J Strength Cond Res 34(8): 2227-2234, 2020-This study aimed to comprehensively explore the differences in mechanical outputs between the bench press (BP) and the bench press throw (BPT) exercises performed by 21 men (age: 22.0 ± 4.2 years, body mass: 73.4 ± 7.7 kg, height: 177.2 ± 8.0 cm, and concentric-only [C-O] BP 1 repetition maximum: 81.3 ± 6.8 kg) against a fixed external load of 27 kg using both the (C-O) and eccentric-concentric (E-C) execution techniques. The types of variables collected by means of a linear velocity transducer were the traditional mean values (i.e., from the first positive velocity until the barbell reaches maximum height), mean propulsive values (i.e., from the first positive velocity until the barbell acceleration become lower than gravity), mean values of the acceleration phase (i.e., from the first positive velocity until the barbell acceleration become negative), and maximum values (i.e., the highest instantaneous value of the concentric phase) of force, velocity, and power. The magnitude of the effect sizes (the negative sign indicates a higher value for the BP as compared to the BPT) ranged from -0.10 to -2.19 for force, 0.28 to 1.30 for velocity, and -0.73 to 0.67 for power variables, remaining mainly similar for the (C-O) and (E-C) execution techniques. These results highlight that the comparison of force, velocity, and power outputs between the BP and BPT exercises is largely affected by the type of variable considered. The shortcomings of linear position transducers in accurately determining the end point of the concentric phase suggest that the maximum values, particularly the maximum velocity, should be reported to assess ballistic performance.

Comparison of the Force-, Velocity-, and Power-Time Curves Between the Concentric-Only and Eccentric-Concentric Bench Press Exercises.

Pérez-Castilla, A, Comfort, P, McMahon, JJ, Pestaña-Melero, FL, and García-Ramos, A. Comparison of the force-, velocity-, and power-time curves between the concentric-only and eccentric-concentric bench press exercises. J Strength Cond Res 34(6): 1618-1624, 2020-The aim of this study was to compare the temporal and mechanical variables between the concentric-only and eccentric-concentric bench press (BP) variants. Twenty-one men (age: 22.0 ± 4.2 years, body mass: 73.4 ± 7.7 kg, height: 177.2 ± 8.0 cm; 1 repetition maximum [1RM]: 1.12 ± 0.12 kg·kg) were evaluated during the concentric-only and eccentric-concentric BP variants using 80% 1RM. Temporal (concentric phase duration, propulsive phase duration, and time to reach the maximum values of force, velocity, and power) and mechanical variables (force, velocity, and power), determined using a linear velocity transducer, were compared between both BP variants. All temporal variables were significantly lower during the eccentric-concentric BP compared with the concentric-only BP (p ≤ 0.05; effect size [ES] range: 0.80-2.52). Maximum force as well as the mean values of velocity and power were significantly higher for the eccentric-concentric BP compared with the concentric-only BP (all p < 0.001; ES range: 2.87-3.58). However, trivial to small differences between both BP variants were observed for mean force (ES: 0.00-0.36) as well as for maximum velocity (ES: 0.40) and power (ES: 0.41). The stretch-shortening cycle (i.e., eccentric-concentric BP) mainly enhanced force production at the early portion of the concentric phase, but this potentiation effect gradually reduced over the latter part of the movement. Finally, force was higher for the concentric-only BP during 49% of the concentric phase duration. These results suggest that both BP variants should be included during resistance training programs to optimize force output at different points of the concentric phase.

Analysis of anaerobic performance and the Body Mass Index measure of adolescents from different areas of Andalusian region (Spain) / Análisis del rendimiento anaeróbico y el índice de masa corporal en adolescentes de diferentes zonas de Andalucía (España) / A análise do desempenho anaeróbio e índice de massa corporal em adolescentes de diferentes áreas da Andaluzia (Espanha)

Objective: To analyze the behavior of the average height of jumps according to the Body Mass Index, and the sex of subjects, and to find significant differences between the variables measured in the anaerobic test of Counter Movement Jump test over 10s and 60s in adolescents according to place of residence. Method: We selected a huge sample of subjects to different places of residence and we categorized them in three levels; Urban - Interior, Urban - Coast and Rural - Interior. Their corporal composition were measured and analyzed, with this analysis we calculated the Body Mass Index, and categorized them by Body Mass Status (Underweight <18.5; Normal Weight 18.5-24.9; Overweight 25-29.9 and Obesity +30). Then, we measured the Jump 10s. The next day, the Jump 60s was measured, finding the anaerobic alactic and anaerobic lactic parameters. Results: The highest percentages of overweight and obesity (20.23%) were found in a Rural - Interior area, however, these have in turn the lowest percentages of underweight (10.66%). In the Counter Movement Jump test were not found significant difference in the measured obtained between subjects of Urban - Interior and Urban - Coast areas, but we found significant difference in the remaining comparisons. Conclusions: The significant difference in anaerobic values measured in adolescents, only reside purely in urban and rural areas, rejecting so a possible differentiation from the coast areas

Objetivo: Analizar la relación entre la altura media de los saltos respecto al Índice de Masa Corporal y el sexo de los sujetos, y encontrar diferencias significativas entre las variables medidas en un test anaérobico de Saltos con Contra Movimiento durante 10 s y 60 s respecto el lugar de residencia. Método: Seleccionamos una amplia muestra de adolescentes de diferentes lugares de residencia categorizados en tres zonas: Urbano-Interior, Urbano-Costa y Rural-Interior. Se determinó la composición corporal y a partir del Índice de Masa Corporal se clasificaron en sujetos con bajo peso (<18.5), normopeso (18.5-24.9), sobrepeso (25-29.9) y obesidad (>30). A continuación se midieron los Saltos con Contra Movimiento durante 10 s. Al día siguiente, se determinaron los Saltos con Contra Movimiento durante 60 s, obteniéndose así, parámetros alácticos anaeróbicos y parámetros lácticos anaeróbicos respectivamente. Resultados: Los porcentajes más altos de sobrepeso y obesidad (20.23%) se encontraron en el medio Rural - zona interior, sin embargo, éstos tienen a su vez los porcentajes más bajos de bajo peso (10.66%). En los dos test de Saltos con Contra Movimiento no se encontraron diferencias significativas entre sujetos de zonas Urbano-Interior y zona Urbano-Costa, pero sí se han encontrado diferencias en las otras comparaciones. Conclusiones: Existen diferencias significativas en los valores anaeróbicas determinados entre adolescentes residentes en las zonas urbanas y en las zonas rurales, rechazando así una posible diferenciación de las zonas costeras

Objetivo: Analisar a relação entre a altura média dos saltos em relação ao índice de massa corporal e sexo dos sujeitos, e encontrar diferenças significativas entre as variáveis medidas em um teste anaeróbico Saltos contra o movimento por 10 s e 60 s sobre o lugar residência. Método: Foram selecionados uma grande amostra de adolescentes de diferentes locais de residência categorizados em três áreas: interior urbano, costa urbana e Interior rural. Se determinou a composição corporal e a partir do Índice de Massa de corpo foram classificadas em baixo peso (<18,5), peso normal (18.5-24.9), sobrepeso (25-29.9) e obesidade (> 30). Em continuação se mediu os saltos contra movimento durante 10 s. No dia seguinte, se determinou os saltos contra movimento durante 60 s, obtendo assim, parâmetros alático anaeróbios e láctico anaeróbias respectivamente. Resultados: A percentagem mais elevada de sobrepeso e obesidade (20.23%) foram encontrados em áreas médio rurais - zona interior, no entanto, por sua vez têm percentagens mais baixas de baixo peso ao nascer (10.66%). Em ambos os testes de salto contra Movimento não houveram diferenças significativas entre os sujeitos de áreas interior urbanas e costa urbana, mas encontraram diferenças em outras comparações. Conclusões: Existem diferenças significativas em certos valores anaeróbias entre adolescentes que vivem em áreas urbanas e em áreas rurais, rejeitando assim uma possível diferenciação de áreas costeiras

Mean Velocity vs. Mean Propulsive Velocity vs. Peak Velocity: Which Variable Determines Bench Press Relative Load With Higher Reliability?

García-Ramos, A, Pestaña-Melero, FL, Pérez-Castilla, A, Rojas, FJ, and Haff, GG. Mean velocity vs. mean propulsive velocity vs. peak velocity: which variable determines bench press relative load with higher reliability? J Strength Cond Res 32(5): 1273-1279, 2018-This study aimed to compare between 3 velocity variables (mean velocity [MV], mean propulsive velocity [MPV], and peak velocity [PV]): (a) the linearity of the load-velocity relationship, (b) the accuracy of general regression equations to predict relative load (%1RM), and (c) the between-session reliability of the velocity attained at each percentage of the 1-repetition maximum (%1RM). The full load-velocity relationship of 30 men was evaluated by means of linear regression models in the concentric-only and eccentric-concentric bench press throw (BPT) variants performed with a Smith machine. The 2 sessions of each BPT variant were performed within the same week separated by 48-72 hours. The main findings were as follows: (a) the MV showed the strongest linearity of the load-velocity relationship (median r = 0.989 for concentric-only BPT and 0.993 for eccentric-concentric BPT), followed by MPV (median r = 0.983 for concentric-only BPT and 0.980 for eccentric-concentric BPT), and finally PV (median r = 0.974 for concentric-only BPT and 0.969 for eccentric-concentric BPT); (b) the accuracy of the general regression equations to predict relative load (%1RM) from movement velocity was higher for MV (SEE = 3.80-4.76%1RM) than for MPV (SEE = 4.91-5.56%1RM) and PV (SEE = 5.36-5.77%1RM); and (c) the PV showed the lowest within-subjects coefficient of variation (3.50%-3.87%), followed by MV (4.05%-4.93%), and finally MPV (5.11%-6.03%). Taken together, these results suggest that the MV could be the most appropriate variable for monitoring the relative load (%1RM) in the BPT exercise performed in a Smith machine.