Muscle Activity and 1-RM Comparison Across Smith Machine, Barbell, and Dumbbell Chest Press
Saeterbakken AH, van den Tillaar R, Fimland MS
Evidence is still limited and needs further study
Summary
An acute crossover study in 12 resistance-trained men comparing 1-RM and muscle activity (EMG) across three chest-press variants: Smith machine, barbell, and dumbbell. Pectoralis major and anterior deltoid activation were similar across conditions, while biceps activation rose with increasing stability demand, and 1-RM was lowest for the dumbbell condition.
Key findings
- 1
12 resistance-trained men were tested for 1-RM and EMG across Smith machine, barbell, and dumbbell conditions (crossover design)
- 2
Pectoralis major and anterior deltoid activation did not differ significantly across conditions
- 3
Biceps activation increased significantly in the order Smith < barbell < dumbbell, proportional to stability demand
- 4
1-RM was lower for dumbbells than the other two conditions, indicating a trade-off between equipment stability demand and load lifted
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