Effect of Different Types of Loads on the Force-Velocity Relationship Obtained During the Bench Press Throw Exercise

Abstract

This study aimed (a) to evaluate the degree of linearity of the force-velocity (F-V) relationship across different types of loads, (b) to compare the magnitude of the F-V relationship parameters (maximum values of force [F0], velocity [V0], and power [Pmax]) between the different types of loads, and (c) to explore the concurrent validity of F0 with traditional measures of maximal strength. The F-V relationships of 15 physically active men (age: 20.9 6 2.0 years, bench press 1 repetition maximum relative to body mass: 1.20 6 0.10 kg·kg21) were determined during the bench press throw exercise using predominantly gravitational (W), inertial (I), and combined (W + I) loads. The bench press maximal isometric force (Fiso) and the 1RM were also assessed. The individual F-V relationships were highly linear regardless of the type of load considered (median r [range] 5 0.98 [0.94, 1.00]). The W + I load provided the largest value of F0 (972 6 45 N; 6.0 and 14.6% higher than W and I, respectively), the I load the largest value of V0 (2.99 6 0.34 m·s21; 40.4 and 20.1% higher than W and W + I, respectively), and the W load the lowest value of Pmax (501 6 46 W; 222.7 and 217.1% lower than I and W + I, respectively). The F0 obtained from the W load presented the highest association with Fiso and 1RM values (r. 0.90). The W + I load and the I load should be recommended to work closer to the F0 and V0 capacities, respectively. However, the W load should be recommended to assess maximal strength capacity through the value of F0.