The load that maximizes power output, commonly called ``optimal load'', has received wide attention for training and testing purposes.
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the reproducibility in the determination of the load that maximizes mean power (MP), mean propulsive power (MPP), and peak power (PP) during the bench press (BP) and bench press throw (BPT) exercises.
METHODS:
Twenty-two men conducted 4 evaluations after a preliminary BP 1-repetition maximum (1RM) determination. In a counterbalanced order, subjects performed 2 sessions of BP in one week and 2 sessions of BPT in another week. MP, MPP, and PP at each tenth percentile (20-70% of 1RM) were recorded on each testing day. Two procedures were used to determine the individual optimal load: (1) Absolute: individual load with the highest power output;(2) Predicted: obtained from the parabolic load-power relationship.
RESULTS:
While acceptable reproducibility was found for MP in both exercises and procedures (ICC: 0.85-0.96; CV: 2.7%-12.2%), low reproducibility was obtained for MPP (ICC: -0.20-0.60; CV: 21.1%-29.3%), and PP (ICC: 0.42-0.78; CV: 17.8%-20.9%).
CONCLUSIONS:
The low reproducibility associated with the determination of the optimal load suggests that it may be unnecessary to look for a single optimal load for training.
CormieP, McGuiganMR, NewtonRU. Developing maximal neuromuscular power: Part 2 training considerations for improving maximal power production. Sports Med. 2011; 41(2): 125-146.
2.
HaffGG, NimphiusS. Training Principles for Power. J Strength Cond Res. 2012; 34(6): 2-12.
3.
BakerD. Comparison of upper-body strength and power between professional and college-aged rugby league players. J Strength Cond Res. 2001; 15(1): 30-35.
4.
HansenKT, CroninJB, PickeringSL, DouglasL. Do Force-Time and Power-Time Measures in a Loaded Jump Squat Differentiate between Speed Performance and Playing Level in Elite and Elite Junior Rugby Union Players? J Strength Cond Res. 2011; 25(9): 2382-2391.
5.
McBrideJM, Triplett-McBrideT, DavieA, NewtonRU. The effect of heavyvs. light-load jump squats on the development of strength, power, and speed. J Strength Cond Res. 2002; 16(1): 75-82.
6.
OliverJM, JagimAR, SanchezAC, MardockMA, KellyKA, MeredithHJ, et al. Greater gains in strength and power with intraset rest intervals in hypertrophic training. J Strength Cond Res. 2013; 27(11): 3116-3131.
7.
HansenKT, CroninJB, PickeringSL, NewtonMJ. Does cluster loading enhance lower body power development in preseason preparation of elite rugby union players? J Strength Cond Res. 2011; 25(8): 2118-2126.
8.
KraemerWJ, RatamessNA. Fundamentals of resistance training: progression and exercise prescription. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2004; 36(4): 674-688.
9.
CormieP, FlanaganSP. Does an optimal load exist for power training? Strength Cond J. 2008; 30(2): 67-69.
10.
KawamoriN, HaffGG. The optimal training load for the development of muscular power. J Strength Cond Res. 2004; 18(3): 675-684.
11.
KanekoM, FuchimotoT, TojiH, SueiK. Training effect of different loads on the force-velocity relationship and mechanical power output in human muscle. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 1983; 5(2): 50-55.
12.
WilsonGJ, NewtonRU, MurphyAJ, HumphriesBJ. The optimal training load for the development of dynamic athletic performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1993; 25(11): 1279-1286.
13.
CormieP, MccaulleyGO, TriplettNT, McbrideJM. Optimal loading for maximal power output during lower-body resistance exercises. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2007; 39(2): 340-349.
14.
da SilvaBV, SimimMA, MarocoloM, FranchiniE, da MotaGR. Optimal load for the peak power and maximal strength of the upper body in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu athletes. J Strength Cond Res. 2014; 29(6): 1616-1621.
15.
KawamoriN, CrumAJ, BlumertPA, KulikJR, ChildersJT, WoodJA, et al. Influence of different relative intensities on power output during the hang power clean: identification of the optimal load. J Strength Cond Res. 2005; 19(3): 698-708.
16.
JandackaD, UchytilJ. Optimal load maximizes the mean mechanical power output during upper extremity exercise in highly trained soccer players. J Strength Cond Res. 2011; 25(10): 2764-2772.
17.
CormieP, DeaneR, McBrideJM. Methodological concerns for determining power output in the jump squat. J Strength Cond Res. 2007; 21(2): 424-430.
18.
CroninJ, McNairPJ, MarshallRN. Developing explosive power: a comparison of technique and training. J Sci Med Sport. 2001; 4(1): 59-70.
19.
NewtonRU, MurphyAJ, HumphriesBJ, WilsonGJ, KraemerWJ, HäkkinenK. Influence of load and stretch shortening cycle on the kinematics, kinetics and muscle activation that occurs during explosive upper-body movements. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol. 1997; 75(4): 333-342.
20.
CastilloF, ValverdeT, MoralesA, Pérez-GuerraA, de LeónF, García-MansoJM. Maximum power, optimal load and optimal power spectrum for power training in upper-body (bench press): a review. Rev Andal Med Deporte. 2012; 5(1): 18-27.
21.
Sanchez-MedinaL, PerezCE, Gonzalez-BadilloJJ. Importance of the propulsive phase in strength assessment. International Journal of Sports Medicine. 2010; 31(2): 123-9.
22.
Sánchez-MedinaL, González-BadilloJJ, PérezCE, PallarésJG. Velocity- and power-load relationships of the bench pull vs bench press exercises. Int J Sports Med. 2014; 35(3): 209-216.
23.
CormieP, McBrideJM, McCaulleyGO. Validation of power measurement techniques in dynamic lower body resistance exercises. J Appl Biomech. 2007; 23(2): 103-118.
24.
FericheB, Garcón-RamosA, Calderón-SotoC, DrobnicF, Bonitch-GóngoraJG, GalileaPA, et al. Effect of acute exposure to moderate altitude on muscle power: hypobaric hypoxia vs. normobaric hypoxia. PLoS ONE. 2014; 9(12): e114072.
25.
IzquierdoM, HäkkinenK, Gonzalez-BadilloJJ, IbáñezJ, GorostiagaEM. Effects of long-term training specificity on maximal strength and power of the upper and lower extremities in athletes from different sports. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2002; 87(3): 264-271.
26.
HopkinsWG, MarshallSW, BatterhamAM, HaninJ. Progressive statistics for studies in sports medicine and exercise science. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2009; 41(1): 3-13.
27.
HaffGG, RubenRP, LiderJ, TwineC, CormieP. A comparison of methods for determining the rate of force development during isometric midthigh clean pulls. J Strength Cond Res. 2015; 29(2): 386-395.
