CAN PECK DECK EXERCISE IMPROVE BENCH PRESS PERFORMANCE IN TRAINED MEN?

Efecto del Voador en el Press de Banca

Abstract

Complex Training (CT), also known as post-activation potentiation, is a strategy that involves performing a high-intensity conditioning exercise prior to the main exercise, and its influence on maximizing the maximum number of repetitions (NMR) is often discussed. Thus, the aim of the present study is to compare the NMR performed across two sets of the bench press with barbell, with and without prior CT using the fly exercise. To this end, 17 trained men (23.13 ± 3.61 years; 178 ± 8 height; 82.43± 11.72 kg; 48.56 ± 32.02 mouths of training experience) performed two randomized experimental sessions (with and without CT), separated by 48 hours. In the session without CT, participants performed the NMR across two sets of the bench press at 80% of body mass. In the session with CT, participants performed 3 sets of 5-second maximum isometric contractions in the fly exercise. Five minutes later, the two sets of the bench press were performed following the same procedures as the session without CT. The ANOVA test was used to compare the NMR between CT and non-CT conditions across the sets. The results did not show an interaction effect between the factors (F = 3.429; p = 0.89, ƞ2= 0.005), indicating that in both conditions, the NMR was similar in each of the sets analyzed. No main effect of Condition was found (F= 3.604; p= 0.79; ƞ2 = 0.004), suggesting that neither the CT nor the non-CT condition was superior in promoting more repetitions in the combined NMR of the sets. A main effect of Set was found (F = 73.532; p < 0.001; ƞ2 = 0.24), indicating that there were differences in NMR between sets, with more repetitions performed in the first set. It was concluded that CT using the fly exercise does not influence bench press performance.