Effect of post-tetanic potentiation of pectoralis and triceps brachii muscles on bench press performance

The effect of post-tetanic potentiation (PTP) induced in the pectoralis and triceps brachii muscles by high-frequency submaximal percutaneous electrical stimulation (PES) on average and maximal power attained in bench press throwing was measured in 12 healthy men. Three PES regimens were used: (a) a 7-second and (b) a 10-second trial at 100 Hz, and (c) an intermittent trial with 8 1-second tetanic trains at 100 Hz with rest periods of 20 seconds. Only nonsignificant (p > 0.05) increase was observed in average power at 8 minutes and in maximal power at 5, 8, and 11 minutes after tetanus after 7-second trial, and in maximal power at 5 and 8 minutes after tetanus after an intermittent trial. These data indicate that PES application was a noneffective stimulus for increased bench press performance. A great interindividual variability response was observed and, therefore, PTP induction for improving upper-body muscle performance needs further experiments.