KINEMATICS, KINETICS, AND MUSCLE ACTIVATION DURING EXPLOSIVE UPPER-BODY MOVEMENTS

The aim of this study was to investigate the kinematics, kinetics, and neural activation of the traditional bench press movement performed e xplosively and the explosive bench throw in which the barbell was proj ected from the hands. Seventeen male subjects completed three trials w ith a bar weight of 45% of the subject's previously determined IRM. Pe rformance was significantly higher during the throw movement compared to the press for average velocity, peak velocity, average force, avera ge power, and peak power. Average muscle activity during the concentri c phase for pectoralis major, anterior deltoid, triceps brachii, and b iceps brachii was higher for the throw condition. It was concluded tha t performing traditional press movements rapidly with light loads does not create ideal loading conditions for the neuromuscular system with regard to explosive strength production, especially in the final stag es of the movement, because ballistic weight loading conditions where the resistance was accelerated throughout the movement resulted in a g reater velocity of movement, force output, and EMG activity.