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Int J Sports Med 2024; 45(01): 41-47
DOI: 10.1055/a-2151-0661
Training & Testing

Examining Unilateral and Bilateral Exercises through the Load-velocity Relationship

Carlos Martínez-Rubio
1   Department of Education, Faculty of Education Sciences, University of Almeria, Almería, Spain
2   CERNEP Research Center, SPORT Research Group (CTS1024), Almería, Spain
,
Andrés Baena-Raya
1   Department of Education, Faculty of Education Sciences, University of Almeria, Almería, Spain
2   CERNEP Research Center, SPORT Research Group (CTS1024), Almería, Spain
,
David M. Díez-Fernández
1   Department of Education, Faculty of Education Sciences, University of Almeria, Almería, Spain
2   CERNEP Research Center, SPORT Research Group (CTS1024), Almería, Spain
,
Manuel Antonio Rodríguez-Pérez
1   Department of Education, Faculty of Education Sciences, University of Almeria, Almería, Spain
2   CERNEP Research Center, SPORT Research Group (CTS1024), Almería, Spain
,
Fernando Pareja-Blanco
3   Department of Sports and Computers Sciences, Pablo de Olavide University, Sevilla, Spain
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Abstract

This study aimed to examine the load-velocity (L-V) relationship in the bench-press (BP) and leg-press (LP) exercises performed unilaterally, and compared this unilateral L-V relationship with the bilateral variants. Nineteen men (age=23.5±2.1 years) completed two incremental tests in BP and LP, performed bilaterally and unilaterally, across two sessions with a 48-hour rest period. We found a close relationship between medium propulsive velocity (MPV) and %1RM in unilateral BP (R2  =0.97, SEE=0.06 m·s-1) and LP (R2=0.96, SEE=0.06 m·s-1). No significant differences were observed between the preferred and non-preferred sides in the L-V relationship for either exercise. Additionally, higher velocities were achieved in unilateral exercises compared to bilateral exercises, particularly with light and moderate loads (30–70%1RM) in BP (p<0.05) and with light loads (30–45%1RM) in LP (p<0.05). Close L-V relationships were observed in unilateral exercises, without differences in the L-V relationships between preferred and non-preferred sides despite the interlimb asymmetries in the absolute strength values. Interestingly, lower velocities were observed at light loads (~30–45% 1RM) for bilateral compared to unilateral exercises, which could be explained by different strength deficits for these exercises.

Key words

resistance training - muscle strength - movement velocity - strength assessment - asymmetries - bilateral deficit


Publication History

Received: 14 March 2023

Accepted: 03 August 2023

Accepted Manuscript online:
09 August 2023

Article published online:
06 October 2023

© 2023. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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