ORIGINAL ARTICLE   

Gazzetta Medica Italiana Archivio per le Scienze Mediche 2018 November;177(11):637-44

DOI: 10.23736/S0393-3660.17.03604-X

Copyright © 2017 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

lingua: Inglese

Comparison of time under tension, repetition maximum and electromyographic activity in bench press exercise in different speeds execution

Lenoir C. WERNECK SALAROLLI ¹, Raphael M. BEDIN BARROS ¹, Jurandir B. da SILVA ^{1, 2}, Igor L. da SILVA CARVALHO ^{1, 2}, Rodrigo G. de SOUZA VALE ², Rodolfo de ALKMIM MOREIRA NUNES ², Juliana BRANDÃO PINTO de CASTRO ² ✉, Vicente PINHEIRO LIMA ^{1, 2}

¹ BIODESA Institute, Research Group of Performance, Biodynamics, Exercise and Health, Castelo Branco University (UCB), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; ² Postgraduate Program in Exercise and Sport Sciences, Rio de Janeiro State University (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to compare the time under tension (TUT), repetition maximum and electromyographic activity (EMG) during the execution of bench press exercise in the Smith machine with maximum execution speed and controlled cadence.
METHODS: The study included ten men trained in resistance exercise (age: 23.5±2.96 years; stature: 179.3±6.28 cm; body mass: 84.71±8.15 kg). The experimental procedure performed by the individuals happened in two non-consecutive days. They performed the 1RM test and, subsequently, they performed the bench press exercise in the Smith machine at 80% of 1RM at maximum speed. After 48 hours, they performed the exercise proposed with controlled cadence (2x2). A metronome controlled the rhythmic speed. The pace moving was set up in 2 seconds for each phase (concentric and eccentric).
RESULTS: The t-test for paired samples showed a significant difference for the number of repetition maximum between protocols. However, there was no significant difference in pectoral, deltoid and triceps activation by comparing the two speeds. In addition, no significant difference was found in TUT when comparing both protocols.
CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that a higher number of repetitions performed during the maximum speed protocol did not interfere in the muscle activation pattern when the TUT were similar. This way, performing the paced protocol may be an efficient strategy for conducting training with fewer repetitions.

KEY WORDS: Resistance training - Male - Exercise test