Vol 13, Issue 6

Effects of Horizontal and Incline Bench Press on Neuromuscular Adaptations in Untrained Young Men

October 15, 2020 - By 

Authors

Suene F. N. Chaves, Federal Institute of Sudeste of Minas Gerais, Campus Rio Pomba, MG, Brazil
Valdinar A. Rocha-Júnior, National Police Academy – Federal Police, DF, Brazil
Irismar G. A. Encarnação, Federal Institute of Sudeste of Minas Gerais, Campus Rio Pomba, MG, Brazil
Hugo C. Martins-Costa, Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
Eduardo D. S. Freitas, University of Oklahoma, Department of Health and Exercise Science, Norman, OK, USA
Daniel B. Coelho, Sport Center, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil
Frederico S. C. Franco, Federal Institute of Sudeste of Minas Gerais, Campus Rio Pomba, MG, Brazil
Jeremy P. Loenneke, University of Mississippi
Martim Bottaro, College of Physical Education, University of Brasilia, Brazil
João B. Ferreira-Júnior, Federal Institute of Sudeste of Minas Gerais, Campus Rio Pomba, MG, Brazil
International Journal of Exercise Science 13(6): 859-872, 2020.
DOI: 10.70252/FDNB1158

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of horizontal and incline bench press as well as the combination of both exercises on neuromuscular adaptation in untrained young men. Forty-seven untrained men were randomly assigned to one of the three groups: 1) a horizontal bench press group (n= 15), 2) an incline bench press group (n= 15), and 3) a combination (horizontal + incline) group (n= 17). Training was conducted once a week for eight weeks, with equalized number of sets among groups. Muscle thickness, isometric strength and electromyography (EMG) amplitude of the pectoralis major were measured one week before and after the training period. There was no difference between groups for the change in horizontal bench press isometric strength (~ 10 kg increase, p=0.776) or incline bench press isometric strength (~ 11 kg increase, p=0.333). Changes in muscle thickness differed only in one of the three sites. The changes in the second intercostal space of the pectoralis major was greatest in the incline pressure group compared with the horizontal [mean difference (95% CI) of 0.62 (0.23, 1.0) cm, p=0.003] and combination groups [mean difference (95% CI) of 0.50 (0.14, 0.86) cm, p=0.008]. The change in EMG amplitude following training differed between groups in only one out of the four sites. The present results indicate that strength and conditioning professionals might consider that horizontal and incline bench press exercises, or a combination of both exercises can render similar change in general strength.

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