Comparison of Chain- and Plate-Loaded Bench Press Training on Strength, Joint Pain, and Muscle Soreness in Division II Baseball Players

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of chain- (CBP) and plate-loaded (PBP) bench press training on measures of strength, shoulder pain, and muscle soreness in Division II baseball players. Twenty-eight subjects with previous resistance training experience (4.8 +/- 2.7 years) completed the study while participating in off-season baseball practice. All subjects completed a one-repetition maximum pre- and posttest on the CBP and PBP and reported shoulder pain and muscle soreness on 15 occasions during training. Two treatment groups, CBP and PBP, trained 2 d.wk for 9 weeks during the off-season with a linear periodization strength training program. The CBP group used chains attached to the bar as the entire load, and the PBP group used only traditional plate-loaded resistance. The chains provided a variable resistance, with a reduction in load during the descent as the weight collected on the floor and with the load increasing during ascent as the weight was lifted from the floor. Statistically significant increases were found in strength scores after training for the CBP test (p < 0.001) and the PBP test (p < 0.001). Both groups were able to improve strength on the CBP and PBP, but no significant differences were found in strength gains between the groups on the CBP and PBP tests. Although levels of pain and soreness were not significantly different, a threefold difference was found for perceived levels of shoulder pain (mean totals of 2.15 vs. 6.14), whereas reported soreness was similar (9.38 vs. 10.57) for the CBP and PBP group, respectively. The data indicate that training with chain- and plate-loaded resistance produce similar short-term strength improvement on the chain- and plate-loaded bench press. Baseball players may benefit from CBP training with improved free-weight strength while minimizing shoulder stress.

Kinematic and Kinetic Analysis of Maximal Velocity Deadlifts Performed With and Without the Inclusion of Chain Resistance

“…Ghigiarelli et al, (19) also reported greater non-significant improvements in peak power for the variable resistance groups. Combining the results obtained by McCurdy et al, (27) and Ghigiarelli et al,(19) it is evident that chains can be combined with free-weight resistance to improve strength. In addition, it appears that the inclusion of chains may provide additional advantages over a constant barbell resistance for certain biomechanical and physiological variables.…”

“…McCurdy et al, (27) compared the effects of performing the traditional bench press versus a chain variation where the entire load except from the barbell was comprised of chain resistance. The study included twenty-seven college baseball players who were allocated between two groups that performed either the traditional or chain bench press during two weekly upper-body strength sessions over a nine week training period.…”

Effects of Short-Term Jump Squat Training With and Without Chains on Strength and Power in Recreational Lifters

“…McCurdy (McCurdy, Langford, Ernest, Jenkerson, & Doscher, 2009) also found that training with and without chains increased strength. They compared the bench press with chains supplying all of the weight to plate loaded alone.…”

Muscle Activation of Selected Shoulder Muscles During Unilateral Wall and Bench Press Tasks Under Submaximal Isometric Effort

“…17,22 The wall press and bench press are CKC exercises that elicit activity from the upper extremity muscles and are frequently used in rehabilitation protocols, 18,27,28,32 as well as in recreational and professional athletic performance training. 11,27,31,34,36 Nevertheless, due to limited information regarding muscle demand and load applied onto the shoulder, the phase of a rehabilitation program in which these exercises should be introduced remains unclear. 38,41 The purpose of this study was to quantify muscle activity elicited during isometric wall press and isometric bench press tasks in 7 muscles shown in the literature to be important for shoulder movement.…”