Chest Press Variations and Pectoralis Major Mechanics

NCT07539337 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: GRU-SBF-NS-05
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 16
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled study aims to compare the acute effects of bench press (BP) and machine chest press (MCP) exercises on the mechanical properties of the pectoralis major muscle in resistance-trained bodybuilders. Sixteen male athletes are randomly assigned to BP or MCP groups. Both groups perform four sets of ten repetitions at 80% of one-repetition maximum with equalized volume load. Muscle mechanical properties, including oscillation frequency, stiffness, decrement, relaxation time, and creep, are measured using MyotonPRO before and immediately after exercise. The study hypothesizes that BP will induce greater stiffness due to higher stabilization demands, whereas MCP will produce greater increases in oscillation frequency due to more isolated loading.

Conditions

Muscle Mechanical Properties; Resistance Training

Keywords

Resistance Training; Myotonometry; Bench Press; Machine Chest Press; Exercise selection

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Change in pectoralis major muscle stiffness measured by MyotonPRO

  Muscle stiffness (N/m) of the pectoralis major was measured using MyotonPRO before and immediately after the exercise protocol.

  Baseline and immediately post-exercise (within 90 seconds)

• Change in oscillation frequency (muscle tone) of the pectoralis major measured by MyotonPRO

  Muscle stiffness (N/m) and oscillation frequency (Hz), representing muscle tone, were measured using MyotonPRO before and immediately after the exercise protocol.

  Baseline and immediately post-exercise (within 90 seconds)

Study Arms (2)

Bench Press Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants performed a single-session resistance training protocol consisting of four sets of ten repetitions at 80% of one-repetition maximum using barbell bench press with 2-minute rest intervals between sets.

Behavioral: Bench Press Exercise

Machine Chest Press Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants performed a single-session resistance training protocol consisting of four sets of ten repetitions at 80% of one-repetition maximum using a machine chest press with 2-minute rest intervals between sets.

Behavioral: Machine Chest Press Exercise

Interventions

Bench Press Exercise BEHAVIORAL

Participants performed a resistance training protocol consisting of four sets of ten repetitions at 80% of one-repetition maximum using barbell bench press, with 2-minute rest intervals between sets.

Bench Press Group

Machine Chest Press Exercise BEHAVIORAL

Participants performed a resistance training protocol consisting of four sets of ten repetitions at 80% of one-repetition maximum using a machine chest press, with 2-minute rest intervals between sets.

Machine Chest Press Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years - 40 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Male participants
• Aged between 20 and 40 years
• Minimum of 5 years of regular resistance training experience
• Competitive bodybuilding athletes

You may not qualify if:

• History of musculoskeletal injury affecting the pectoralis major, shoulder, or upper extremity within the last 12 months
• History of upper extremity surgery
• Use of anabolic steroids or performance-enhancing substances within the last 12 months

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Nihat Sarıalioğlu: lead

Study Sites (1)

Giresun University - Sports Science Faculty

Giresun, Centre, 28100, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: The outcome assessor and data analyst were blinded to group allocation. Participants and care providers were not blinded due to the nature of the exercise interventions.
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Model Details: Participants are randomly assigned to one of two parallel groups: bench press or machine chest press. Each group performs a single-session resistance training protocol consisting of four sets of ten repetitions at 80% of one-repetition maximum. Muscle mechanical properties are assessed before and immediately after the intervention.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 13, 2026
• First Posted: April 20, 2026
• Study Start: January 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: August 30, 2025
• Study Completion: December 31, 2025
• Last Updated: April 20, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)