The Effects of Different Types of External Load Equipment on Muscle Activation Comparing Two Bench Press Exercises Variations

Abstract

Background: Exercise selection plays a key role in the muscle recruitment pattern of different muscles groups, and the type of external load system may affect the muscle demand due to varying joint torques. Methods: This study aimed to compare the muscle activation of the main muscle groups involved in the bench press performed with two different types of external resistance, a free-weight (i.e., dumbbell), and a pulley system (i.e., cable), in trained individuals. Twelve resistance-trained young adults (26±4.7 years; 26.6±2.0 kg/m2) performed one set of 10 maximal repetitions (RM) with 75% 1RM in dumbbell bench press (DBP) and cable bench press (CBP). The muscle activity of the pectoral major (PM), anterior deltoid (AD), bicep brachii (BB), and triceps brachii (TB) was recorded with surface electromyography (EMG), and the maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) was assessed for each muscle group. The Mann-Whitney U test was used with p≤0.05. Results: There were no significant differences in muscle activity for PM and AD among the exercises (p>0.05). However, the BB showed greater activity on the CBP (p≤0.05), and the activation of the TT was higher on the DBP (p≤0.05). Conclusions: The results suggest that for resistance-trained individuals, the PM and AD were similarly recruited in these two exercises. Nevertheless, the CBP was superior to the BB muscle activity, and the DBP was superior to the TB muscle activity.