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Accentuated Eccentric Loading in the Bench Press: Considerations for Eccentric and Concentric Loading
Sports
  • Christopher Taber, Sacred Heart University
  • Jared R. Morris, Sacred Heart University
  • John P. Wagle, East Tennessee State University
  • Justin J. Merrigan, West Virginia University
Document Type
Peer-Reviewed Article
Publication Date
1-1-2021
Abstract

This study examined the effects of accentuated eccentric loading (AEL) on bench press velocities across a spectrum of concentric and eccentric loads. Ten strength trained men (bench press one-repetition maximum (1-RM): 124.3 ± 19.4 kg; relative strength ratio: 1.5 ± 0.2 kg∙body mass−1) participated. Subjects completed bench press repetitions using concentric loads from 30% to 80% 1-RM in 10% increments in each experimental session. The AEL protocols were implemented using 100% (AEL100) and 110% 1-RM (AEL110) loads during the eccentric action, while the eccentric load remained the same as the concentric for traditional loading (TRAD). Multilevel models analyzed the effects of each AEL protocol on concentric velocities across concentric loads (p < 0.05). Faster concentric velocities were observed at 30% 1-RM and 80% 1-RM with AEL100 compared to TRAD (p ≤ 0.05) but this effect was reduced for individuals moving the barbell through a greater displacement. Additionally, AEL110 presented a greater change in velocity from 30% to 80% 1-RM than TRAD (p ≤ 0.05). The AEL100 protocol resulted in faster concentric velocities throughout concentric loads of 30–80% 1-RM, but AEL110 may have been too great to elicit consistent performance enhancements. Thus, the efficacy of AEL at various concentric loads is dependent on the eccentric loading and barbell displacement.

Comments

Jared R. Morris is a student in the Bachelor of Science of Exercise Science program in the College of Health Professions.

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license.

DOI
10.3390/sports9050054
PMID
33925494
Publisher
MDPI
Pages
54
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
Citation Information

Taber, C. B., Morris, J. R., Wagle, J. P., & Merrigan, J. J. (2021). Accentuated eccentric loading in the bench press: Considerations for eccentric and concentric loading. Sports, 9(5), 54. Doi.org/10.3390/sports9050054