A COMPARISON OF MUSCLE ACTIVITION BETWEEN MAXIMUM PURE CONCENTRIC AND COUNTER MOVEMENT BENCH PRESSING

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the kinematics and muscle activation patterns of the counter movement bench press with pure concentric lifts in the ascending phase of a successful one repetition maximum attempt for 11 recreational weight-training athletes, with special attention to the sticking region. In both conditions a sticking region occurred. However, the start of the sticking region was different between the two bench presses. In addition the muscle activity was higher in the counter movement bench press compared to the concentric one. Together with the findings of the muscle activation during the maximal lifts it was concluded that diminishing effect of force potentiation and delayed muscle activation unlikely explains the existence of the sticking region in a 1-RM bench press. Most likely, the sticking region is the result of a poor mechanical force position.