Analysis of power output and bar velocity during various techniques of the bench press among women

Abstract

Background: The aim of the study was to determine the effect of the wide grip bench press (WGBP) and the close grip bench press (CGBP) on power output and bar velocity changes using a variable tempo of movement (6/0/X/0 vs. 2/0/X/0) in a group of female athletes. Objective: Twenty females were enrolled in the study (age 26.6±2.6, body mass 54.4±7.2 kg, RT experience 2.5±0.94 years; CGBP 1RM 55.2±7.5 kg; WGBP 1RM 52.9±6.5 kg). Method: Participants performed two sets of three repetitions of the bench press (BP) at 70%1RM with different grip widths (WGBP or CGBP) and different tempos of movement (2/0/X/0 or 6/0/X/0). During each test the following variables were registered: mean power (MP), peak power (PP), mean velocity (MV), and peak velocity (PV). Results: The repeated measures ANOVA showed significant differences between analysed variables for MV, PV and PP. The post hoc Tukey showed significant differences between WGBPSLOW and WGBPFAST for MV (p<0.01) and PV (p<0.01), significant differences between WGBPSLOW and CGBPFAST for PP (p<0.05), MV (p<0.01) and PV (p<0.05). Finally, the study showed significant differences between CGBPSLOW and CGBPFAST for MV (p<0.05). Conclusion: The present research showed that the movement tempo significantly influenced the level of power output and bar velocity during the BP. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the type of grip width during the BP is not a factor significantly affecting the level of power output and bar velocity.