Med Lasers.  2023 Jun;12(2):108-115. 10.25289/ML.22.008.

The effect of differences in warm-up and muscle contraction methods on muscle activity and total work during the bench press exercise in Republic of Korea: experimental research

• Jeong HJ
• Kim BK
• Yoo GS
• Kim KH

• KMID: 2551141
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.25289/ML.22.008

Abstract

Background
During resistance exercises, varying performances may result depending on the effects of warmup exercises such as the mobilization of motor units and the type of contraction used. This study was conducted to analyze the variations in muscle activity and total work according to the changes in the contraction method of the warm-up performed before executing the 75% one repetition maximum (1RM) bench press exercise.
Methods
Eight male subjects in their 20s were selected for the study. Two warm-up contraction methods (isotonic contraction, isometric contraction) were performed. For this exercise, three sets of the 75% 1RM bench press were performed. The muscle activity during the warm-up and the main exercise and the total work during the main exercise were measured and the following results were observed.
Results
First, during the warm-up and main exercise, the muscle activity using the isotonic contraction warmup was higher than that of the isometric contraction warm-up method. Second, the total work using the isotonic contraction warm-up method was higher than that of the isometric contraction warm-up.
Conclusion
It can be concluded that the isotonic contraction warm-up can be an effective warm-up method.

Keyword

Exercise; Electromyography; Isometric contraction; Isotonic contraction