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COMPARING TRAJECTORIES AND PERFORMANCE OF THE STANDARD, SWISS, AND CAMBERED SWISS BARBELL BENCH PRESS IN RESISTANCE TRAINED INDIVIDUALS

Abstract

Matthew J. Johnson, Meghan Schulte, Andrew A. Flatt, Bryan L. Riemann. Georgia Southern University, Savannah, GA.

Background: Although previous studies have examined overhand and underhand grip variations for the standard barbell, fewer studies have examined the neutral grip (NG) kinematic and kinetic technique differences between the standard Olympic (STB), Swiss (SWB), and Cambered Swiss barbells (CAB). Currently, there is a void of research examining how the SWB and CAB NG strategy may influence barbell trajectory (BBT) and performance of the bench press (BP) exercise. Purpose: To compare barbell BP performance in resistance trained (RT) individuals using a STB, SWB, and CAB. Methods: Twenty-three participants (12 women, 23.2±1.9 yrs, 1.63±.01 m, 71.3±4.2 kg; 11 men, 22.6±2.5 yrs, 1.76±.02 m, 89.6±5.6 kg) with ≥ one year of barbell BP experience completed a counterbalanced study design. The first session familiarized participants with each bar. A data collection session measured barbell BP velocity using a linear position transducer. Participants performed progressively heavier single repetitions with maximal propulsive intent until achieving a .32 m/s velocity, corresponding to ~90%1RM.Once the velocity was achieved, 3 same-tempo repetitions were recorded. The same protocol was completed with each bar. Vertical displacement (VD), mean concentric velocity (MV) and work were computed from three-dimensional barbell position recordings and averaged across trials. Results: 90%1RM was significantly (P<.001, d=2.5) greater in men (81.6±6.1kg) compared to women (41.4±1.7kg). In addition, work was significantly (P<.001, d=2.7) greater in men compared to women; there were no other sex related differences (P>.05). 90%1RM was significantly lower (P=.005, d=.14) for CAB (56.8±25.4 kg) compared to STB (60.6±24.9 kg); there was no difference between SWB (58.8±25.7 kg) and either CAB (P=.063, d=.09) or STB (P=.258, d=.07). CAB (.50±.06 m) VD was significantly greater (STB:P<.001, d=1.1; SWB:P<.001, d=.78) than both STB (.44±.04 m) and SWB (.45±.05 m). There were no significant differences between the barbells for work (P=.584, STB=262.2±113.4 J, CAB=263.3±129.3 J SWB=253.3±117.9 J) or MV (P=.125, STB=.32±.07 m/s, CAB=.34±.07 m/s SWB=.31±.07 m/s). Conclusion: This data suggests that a CAB can achieve similar work at lighter loads compared to a STB through an increase of VD during the concentric phase of a BP regardless of sex. As 90%1RM and work were similar between the SWB and STB, the NG BP may serve as an effective alternative BP modality with a reduced risk of BP-related injury.

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