An Investigation of the Mechanics and Sticking Region of a One-Repetition Maximum Close-Grip Bench Press versus the Traditional Bench Press

Affiliations

¹ Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Fullerton, CA 92831, USA. rlockie@fullerton.edu.
² Centre for Exercise and Sport Science, School of Exercise and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup 6027, Australia. scallag5@our.ecu.edu.au.
³ Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Fullerton, CA 92831, USA. moreno.matthewr@csu.fullerton.edu.
⁴ Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Fullerton, CA 92831, USA. fabricerisso@csu.fullerton.edu.
⁵ Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Northridge, CA 91330, USA. tricia.tomita.228@my.csun.edu.
⁶ Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Northridge, CA 91330, USA. alyssa.stage.634@my.csun.edu.
⁷ Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Northridge, CA 91330, USA. samantha.birminghambabauta.162@my.csun.edu.
⁸ Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Northridge, CA 91330, USA. john.stokes.91@my.csun.edu.
⁹ Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Northridge, CA 91330, USA. dominic.giuliano.871@my.csun.edu.
¹⁰ Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Northridge, CA 91330, USA. adrina.lazar.957@my.csun.edu.
¹¹ Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Fullerton, CA 92831, USA. deshaunl.davis@csu.fullerton.edu.
¹² Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Fullerton, CA 92831, USA. ashley.orjalo@csu.fullerton.edu.

PMID: 29910406
PMCID: PMC5968970
DOI: 10.3390/sports5030046

An Investigation of the Mechanics and Sticking Region of a One-Repetition Maximum Close-Grip Bench Press versus the Traditional Bench Press

Robert G Lockie et al. Sports (Basel). 2017.

. 2017 Jun 24;5(3):46.

doi: 10.3390/sports5030046.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Fullerton, CA 92831, USA. rlockie@fullerton.edu.
² Centre for Exercise and Sport Science, School of Exercise and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup 6027, Australia. scallag5@our.ecu.edu.au.
³ Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Fullerton, CA 92831, USA. moreno.matthewr@csu.fullerton.edu.
⁴ Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Fullerton, CA 92831, USA. fabricerisso@csu.fullerton.edu.
⁵ Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Northridge, CA 91330, USA. tricia.tomita.228@my.csun.edu.
⁶ Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Northridge, CA 91330, USA. alyssa.stage.634@my.csun.edu.
⁷ Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Northridge, CA 91330, USA. samantha.birminghambabauta.162@my.csun.edu.
⁸ Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Northridge, CA 91330, USA. john.stokes.91@my.csun.edu.
⁹ Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Northridge, CA 91330, USA. dominic.giuliano.871@my.csun.edu.
¹⁰ Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Northridge, CA 91330, USA. adrina.lazar.957@my.csun.edu.
¹¹ Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Fullerton, CA 92831, USA. deshaunl.davis@csu.fullerton.edu.
¹² Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Fullerton, CA 92831, USA. ashley.orjalo@csu.fullerton.edu.

PMID: 29910406
PMCID: PMC5968970
DOI: 10.3390/sports5030046

Abstract

The close-grip bench press (CGBP) is a variation of the traditional bench press (TBP) that uses a narrower grip (~95% of biacromial distance (BAD)) and has potential application for athletes performing explosive arm actions from positions where the hands are held close to the torso. Limited research has investigated CGBP mechanics compared to the TBP. Twenty-seven resistance-trained individuals completed a one-repetition maximum TBP and CGBP. The TBP was performed with the preferred grip; the CGBP with a grip width of 95% BAD. A linear position transducer measured lift distance and duration; peak and mean power, velocity, and force; distance and time when peak power occurred; and work. Pre-sticking region (PrSR), sticking region, and post-sticking region distance and duration for each lift was measured. A repeated measures ANOVA was used to derive differences between TBP and CGBP mechanics (p < 0.01); effect sizes (d) were also calculated. A greater load was lifted in the TBP, thus mean force was greater (d = 0.16⁻0.17). Peak power and velocity were higher in the CGBP, which had a longer PrSR distance (d = 0.49⁻1.32). The CGBP could emphasize power for athletes that initiate explosive upper-body actions with the hands positioned close to the torso.

Keywords: bar velocity; linear position transducer; mean force; peak power; sticking point; upper-body strength.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

**Figure 1**
Example velocity curve for a bench press exercise indicating the pre-sticking region (PrSR), sticking region (SR), and post-sticking region (PoSR).

**Figure 2**
Distances of the pre-sticking region, sticking region, and post-sticking region relative to lift distance in a maximal traditional and close-grip bench press in resistance-trained men and women (n = 27); * Significant (p < 0.01) difference between the CGBP and the TBP.

**Figure 3**
Durations of the pre-sticking region, sticking region, and post-sticking region relative to lift duration in a maximal traditional and close-grip bench press in resistance-trained men and women (n = 27).

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An Investigation of the Mechanics and Sticking Region of a One-Repetition Maximum Close-Grip Bench Press versus the Traditional Bench Press

Affiliations

An Investigation of the Mechanics and Sticking Region of a One-Repetition Maximum Close-Grip Bench Press versus the Traditional Bench Press

Authors

Affiliations

Abstract

Conflict of interest statement

Figures

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Cited by

References

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Full Text Sources

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