Reliability of Mechanical and EMG Variables Assessed During Concentric Bench Press Exercise Against Different Submaximal Loads

Abstract

The assessment of specific neuromuscular performance qualities provides relevant insight into the training status of an individual in relation to the sport requirements. This information is crucial for detecting potential deficiencies in strength and power capacities and, therefore, for designing individualized resistance training programs aimed at improving physical performance [1].Skeletal muscle function can be evaluated using a wide variety of tests, which should provide reliable, valid, sensitive and specific measures to obtain a correct strength diagnosis [2,3]. Therefore, it would seem logical for coaches, strength and physical conditioning professionals and sport scientists to properly assess the reliability of different mechanical and physiological variables related to strength and power qualities [1].

Influence of the grip width on the reliability and magnitude of different velocity variables during the bench press exercise

“…Similar results were reported by García‐Ramos et al (2018) during the traditional BP performed using the concentric‐only and eccentric‐concentric techniques. In line with the aforementioned studies (García‐Ramos, Haff, Padial, et al, 2018; García‐Ramos, Pestaña‐Melero, Pérez‐Castilla, et al, 2018; Yáñez‐García et al, 2018), the Vmax was also the most reproducible variable for all the grip widths evaluated in the present study. Previous studies have suggested that the lower reliability observed for mean values could be caused by the difficulty to determine the start of the concentric phase (García‐Ramos, Haff, Jiménez‐Reyes, et al, 2018; García‐Ramos, Haff, Padial, et al, 2018).…”

“…Previous studies have suggested that the lower reliability observed for mean values could be caused by the difficulty to determine the start of the concentric phase (García‐Ramos, Haff, Jiménez‐Reyes, et al, 2018; García‐Ramos, Haff, Padial, et al, 2018). It should be noted that MV values were used in this study instead of MPV values because they can be obtained with a higher reliability during the BP exercise (García‐Ramos, Haff, Jiménez‐Reyes, et al, 2018; García‐Ramos, Pestaña‐Melero, Pérez‐Castilla, Rojas, et al, 2018; Yáñez‐García et al, 2018) and they can be easy measured by most of the commercially available devices (e.g. linear position transducers, mobile apps or accelerometers) (Pérez‐Castilla et al, 2019).…”

“…Therefore, from a reliability standpoint, it seems evident that Vmax should be the variable considered for testing BP performance against submaximal loads. It should be also noted that the Vmax achieved against a given load has been positively related to sports performance (Marques, van den Tilaar, Vescovi, & Gonzalez‐Badillo, 2007) and enables better discrimination between different performance levels (Yáñez‐García et al, 2018).…”

“…Although there is no scientific consensus about which velocity variable should be considered for testing performance during resistance training exercises (García‐Ramos, Haff, Jiménez‐Reyes, et al, 2018; García‐Ramos, Pérez‐Castilla, & Martín, 2018), previous studies have compared the reliability of the main velocity variables that can be collected for testing BP performance against submaximal loads (García‐Ramos, Haff, Jiménez‐Reyes, et al, 2018; García‐Ramos, Haff, Padial, et al, 2018; García‐Ramos, Pestaña‐Melero, Pérez‐Castilla, Rojas, & Gregory Haff, 2018; Yáñez‐García et al, 2018). For example, García‐Ramos et al (2018) using a linear position transducer (Real Power Power Pro Globus, Codogne, Italy) revealed a higher between‐session reliability for Vmax compared to the mean propulsive velocity (i.e.…”

“…average velocity from the start of the concentric phase until the bar reaches the maximum height; MV) and maximum velocity (i.e. the maximum instantaneous velocity value recorded during the concentric phase; Vmax) variables collected against a variety of loads during different BP variants (García‐Ramos, Haff, Jiménez‐Reyes, & Pérez‐Castilla, 2018; García‐Ramos, Haff, Padial, & Feriche, 2018; Yáñez‐García et al, 2018). Studies that have tested movement velocity during the BP exercise have mainly used a standardised grip width slightly greater than shoulder‐width apart (Pallarés, Sánchez‐Medina, Pérez, De La Cruz‐Sánchez, & Mora‐Rodriguez, 2014; Sánchez‐Medina, González‐Badillo, Pérez, & Pallarés, 2014) or a self‐selected grip width (García‐Ramos, Haff, Jiménez‐Reyes, et al, 2018; García‐Ramos, Haff, Padial, et al, 2018; García‐Ramos, Pestaña‐Melero, Pérez‐Castilla, Rojas, & Haff, 2018; García‐Ramos, Suzovic, & Pérez‐Castilla, 2019; Orange et al, 2019).…”