Bibliographic Details
| Title: |
Comparative Effects of the Free Weights and Smith Machine Squat and Bench Press: The Important Role of Specificity for Strength Adaptations. |
| Authors: |
Marcos-Frutos, Daniel, Miras-Moreno, Sergio, Márquez, Gonzalo, García-Ramos, Amador |
| Source: |
International Journal of Sports Physiology & Performance; Feb2025, Vol. 20 Issue 2, p292-300, 9p |
| Subject Terms: |
SKELETAL muscle physiology, EXERCISE physiology, BIOMECHANICS, PHYSIOLOGICAL adaptation, RESEARCH funding, STATISTICAL sampling, EVALUATION of human services programs, FUNCTIONAL training, PECTORALIS muscle, EXERCISE therapy, RANDOMIZED controlled trials, DESCRIPTIVE statistics, STRENGTH training, RESISTANCE training, LONGITUDINAL method, PRE-tests & post-tests, STUDENTS, BODY movement, WEIGHT lifting, QUADRICEPS muscle, SPORTS sciences, COMPARATIVE studies |
| Abstract: |
Purpose: Although previous studies have compared strength-training adaptations between free weights (FW) and machine-guided exercises, those studies did not use a Smith machine (SM), which most closely replicates the exercises performed with FW. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the chronic effects of strength-focused, velocity-based training regimens using FW versus SM. Methods: Thirty-seven sport-science students (14 female) were assigned, balanced by sex and relative strength, to either an FW or SM training group. The training program lasted 8 weeks (2 sessions/wk), and participants performed 4 sets per exercise (back squat and bench press) at 70% of their 1-repetition maximum with moderate effort levels (20%–25% velocity loss). Load–velocity profile parameters (load-axis intercept, velocity-axis intercept, and area under the load–velocity relationship line), cross-sectional areas of the vastus lateralis and pectoralis major muscles, and the number of repetitions to failure in the bench-press exercise were assessed before and after the training program. Mechanical variables were assessed using both FW and SM. Results: All variables, with the exception of back-squat velocity-axis intercept (P =.124), improved in both training groups. The changes in load-axis intercept and area under the load–velocity relationship line were more pronounced when the training and testing conditions matched. Failure in the bench-press exercise and cross-sectional areas of the vastus lateralis and pectoralis major showed comparable improvements for both training groups, while velocity-axis intercept tended to improve more in the SM group. Conclusions: The general population, unconcerned with the specificity of strength adaptations, can choose a training modality (FW or SM) based on personal preferences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: |
Complementary Index |
