Background: Effective hypertrophy-oriented resistance training (RT) should comprise a combination of mechanical tension and metabolic stress. Regarding training variables, the most effective values are widely described in the literature. However, there is still a lack of consensus regarding the efficiency of advanced RT techniques and methods in comparison to traditional approaches. Methods: MEDLINE and SPORTDiscus databases were searched from 1996 to September 2019 for all studies investigating the effects of advanced RT techniques and methods on muscle hypertrophy and training variables. Thirty articles met the inclusion criteria and were consequently included for the quality assessment and data extraction. Results: Concerning the time-efficiency of training, the use of agonist–antagonist, upper–lower body supersets, drop and cluster sets, sarcoplasma stimulating training, employment of fast, but controlled duration of eccentric contractions (~2s), and high-load RT supplemented with low-load RT under blood flow restriction may provide an additional stimulus and an advantage to traditional training protocols. With regard to the higher degree of mechanical tension, the use of accentuated eccentric loading in RT should be considered. Implementation of drop sets, sarcoplasma stimulating training, low-load RT in conjunction with low-load RT under blood flow restriction could provide time-efficient solutions to increased metabolic stress. Conclusions: Due to insufficient evidence, it is difficult to provide specific guidelines for volume, intensity of effort, and frequency of previously mentioned RT techniques and methods. However, well-trained athletes may integrate advanced RT techniques and methods into their routines as an additional stimulus to break through plateaus and to prevent training monotony.

Background:The main goal of the presented study was to assess the effect of blood flow restriction (BFR) on the maximum number of repetitions in the bench press exercise (BP) with different movement tempos.Material and methods: Four female athletes volunteered for the study. The experiment was performed following a randomized crossover design, with four different testing protocols: 2/0/X/0 fast tempo with BFR (FAST BFR ); 2/0/X/0 fast tempo without BFR (FAST NO-BFR ); 6/0/X/0 slow tempo with BFR (SLOW BFR ) or 6/0/X/0 slow tempo without BFR (SLOW NO-BFR ). During the experimental session, participants performed 5 sets of the BP at 80%1RM. The following variables were recorded: the maximal number of repetitions in every set (REP Set1-5 ) and the total number of repetitions performed in 5 sets (TREP). Two-way ANOVA was used to show differences between variables.Results: There were significant differences between FAST NO-BFR and SLOW NO-BFR , between FAST BFR and SLOW BFR variables in REP Set1-5 (p < 0.05) and TREP (p < 0.01). Similarly, there were significant differences between FAST NO-BFR and FAST BFR variables in REP Set1,2,5 (p < 0.05) and TREP. Significant differences between SLOW NO-BFR and SLOW BFR variables were also found in REP Set1,5 (p < 0.05), as well as in TREP (p < 0.01). Conclusions:The use of BFR in resistance training improves the maximal number of REP during the BP.

The aim of this study was to compare the muscle activity between the sling shot assisted (SS) and control (CONT) flat barbell bench press for selected external loads of 70%, 85%, 100% one-repetition maximum (1RM). Ten resistance-trained men participated in the study (age = 22.2 ± 1.9 years, body mass = 88.7 ± 11.2 kg, body height = 179.5 ± 4.1, 1RM in the bench press = 127.25 ± 25.86 kg, and strength training experience = 6 ± 2.5 years). Evaluation of peak muscle activity of the dominant body side was carried out using surface electromyography (sEMG) recorded for the triceps brachii, pectoralis major, and anterior deltoid during each attempt. The three-way repeated measure ANOVA revealed statistically significant main interaction for condition x muscle group (p < 0.01; η2 = 0.569); load x muscle group (p < 0.01; η2 = 0.709); and condition x load (p < 0.01; η2 = 0.418). A main effect was also observed for condition (p < 0.01; η2 = 0.968); load (p < 0.01; η2 = 0.976); and muscle group (p < 0.01; η2 = 0.977). The post hoc analysis for the main effect of the condition indicated statistically significant decrease in %MVIC for the SS compared to CONT condition (74.9 vs. 88.9%MVIC; p < 0.01; ES = 0.39). The results of this study showed that using the SS significantly affects the muscle activity pattern of the flat bench press and results in its acute decrease in comparison to an equal load under CONT conditions. The SS device may be an effective tool both in rehabilitation and strength training protocols by increasing stability with a reduction of muscular activity of the prime movers.

This study aimed to analyze acute changes in the muscle mechanical properties of the triceps brachii long head after bench press exercise performed at different external loads and with different intensities of effort along with power performance. Ten resistance-trained males (age: 27.7 ± 3.7 yr, body mass: 90.1 ± 17.1 kg, height: 184 ± 4 cm; experience in resistance training: 5.8 ± 2.6 yr, relative one-repetition maximum (1RM) in the bench press: 1.23 ± 0.22 kg/body mass) performed two different testing conditions in a randomized order. During the experimental session, participants performed four successive sets of two repetitions of the bench press exercise at: 50, 70, and 90% 1RM, respectively, followed by a set at 70% 1RM performed until failure, with a 4 min rest interval between each set. Immediately before and after each set, muscle mechanical properties of the dominant limb triceps brachii long head were assessed via a Myoton device. To determine fatigue, peak and average barbell velocity were measured at 70% 1RM and at 70% 1RM until failure (only first and second repetition). In the control condition, only muscle mechanical properties at the same time points after the warm-up were assessed. The intraclass correlation coefficients indicated “poor” to “excellent” reliability for decrement, relaxation time, and creep. Therefore, these variables were excluded from further analysis. Three-way ANOVAs (2 groups × 2 times × 4 loads) indicated a statistically significant group × time interaction for muscle tone (p = 0.008). Post hoc tests revealed a statistically significant increase in muscle tone after 70% 1RM (p = 0.034; ES = 0.32) and 90% 1RM (p = 0.011; ES = 0.56). No significant changes were found for stiffness. The t-tests indicated a significant decrease in peak (p = 0.001; ES = 1.02) and average barbell velocity (p = 0.008; ES = 0.8) during the first two repetitions of a set at 70% 1RM until failure in comparison to the set at 70% 1RM. The results indicate that low-volume, high-load resistance exercise immediately increases muscle tone but not stiffness. Despite no significant changes in the mechanical properties of the muscle being registered simultaneously with a decrease in barbell velocity, there was a trend of increased muscle tone. Therefore, further studies with larger samples are required to verify whether muscle tone could be a sensitive marker to detect acute muscle fatigue.

Background:The bench press (BP) is a complex upper body exercise. Despite numerous scientific studies, it remains unknown which grip width is optimal for the development of strength and power in the bench press. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of different grip widths on exercise volume, evaluate the time under tension (TUT) and the number of repetitions (REP) completed during 5 consecutive sets of the BP. Material and methods:The study involved 16 women with a minimum of one year of resistance training experience. Two independent experimental sessions were randomly selected. Participants performed 5 sets of the bench press during each session, with the maximal number of repetitions, using either the WGBP or the CGBP with a constant movement tempo of 2/0/2/0 at 70%1RM. Results:A one-way ANOVA for repeated measures was used, with significance set at p<0.05. The study did not show significant differences in the REP, TUT nor the total number of repetitions (TREP) or the total time under tension (TTUT) between the WGBP and the CGBP. Conclusions: Grip width of the barbell in the bench press does not affect exercise volume during strength training in women.