ORIGINAL ARTICLES   

Gazzetta Medica Italiana Archivio per le Scienze Mediche 2014 March;173(3):91-101

Copyright © 2014 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Acute effects of wearing an elastic, supportive device on bench press performance in young, resistance-trained males

Ye X. ¹, Beck T. W. ¹, Stock M. S. ², Fahs C. A. ¹, Kim D. ¹, Loenneke J. P. ¹, Thiebaud R. S. ¹, Defreitas J. M. ¹, Rossow L. M. ¹, Bemben D. A. ¹, Bemben M. G. ¹

¹ Department of Health and Exercise Science University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA; ² Department of Health, Exercise and Sport Sciences, Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX, USA

Aim: The aim of this paper was to examine the acute effects of wearing a bench press performance-enhancing device called the “Sling Shot” on bench press performance in young, resistance-trained males.
Methods: Nineteen men (mean±SD age=23±3 years; One-repetition maximum (1-RM) bench press=114.6±18.6 kg) participated in this study. Their bench press strength, average power output, average bar velocity, and electromyographic (EMG) amplitude for the prime mover muscles were measured for three conditions: bench press 1-RM without the “Sling Shot” (“raw” 1-RM), bench press “raw” 1-RM while wearing the “Sling Shot”, and bench press 1-RM with the “Sling Shot” (“Sling Shot” 1-RM).
Results: The results showed that the “Sling Shot” significantly increased the mean bench press 1-RM by 17.6 kg. This was also accompanied by significant improvements in average power output and average bar velocity, as well as decreases in EMG amplitude for the pectoralis major and triceps brachii.
Conclusion: The findings from this study suggested that the improved bench press 1-RM when wearing the “Sling Shot” is due to the elastic support provided by the device. The “Sling Shot” may be a good alternative to the bench press shirt for those who compete in “equipped” powerlifting because it provides similar assistance and can be taken on and off with ease.