The effect of targeted resistance training on bench press performance and the alternation of prime mover muscle activation patterns

ABSTRACT

Targeted muscle strengthening might improve performance or help overcome training stagnation; therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate changes in muscle activity patterns before and after six weeks of targeted resistance training. Twenty-seven resistance-trained men were divided into three groups according to their prime mover activity, as measured by surface electromyography during a bench press (BP). Each group underwent a six-week block of targeted exercises for one of the following muscles: anterior deltoid (AD), pectoralis major (PM) or triceps brachii (TB). ANOVA showed that each group increased their 1 repetition maximum (1RM) (p < 0.05) and the activity of the exercised muscle group during an isometric bench press (p < 0.01) and during a dynamic bench press (p < 0.01) at 85% of the 1RM. During the isometric BP, the TB training group had an increase in TB activity in comparison to the other groups. Targeted muscle training is a useful method for muscle activity increase and increasing the maximum strength in complex exercise, when applied in activity-deficient muscle groups. Strengthening the TB elicits changes in all prime movers and results in TB activity domination during a bench press.

KEYWORDS:

• Anterior deltoid
• triceps brachii
• pectoralis major
• electromyography
• intervention

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Supplementary material

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Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by Polish Ministry of physical Education [number NRSA3 03953 and NRSA4 040 54] and by Charles University grant UNCE/HUM/032.