29th Annual Student Research Conference
Comparison of Muscular Endurance and Perceived Exertion in Dumbbell and Barbell Bench Press
Kadie C. Orenstein
Dr. Jerry Mayhew, Faculty Mentor
Muscular endurance can be measured through performance of maximum number of repetitions to fatigue (RTF). The purpose of this study was to determine the difference between RTF and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) for barbell and dumbbell bench presses among women athletes. Fifteen softball athletes were measured for RTF barbell and dumbbell bench presses (50 lbs for each). Test order was randomized and measured on two separate days. At the end of each test, subjects provided an RPE score between 6 (minimal exertion) to 20 (maximal exertion). Paired t-tests noted significantly fewer RTF for dumbbell than for barbell bench presses despite a high correlation (r = 0.94) between the two exercises. RPE was significantly higher for dumbbell presses than for barbell presses, with a lower correlation between the two (r = 0.33). Women complete fewer repetitions in a dumbbell exercise than in a barbell exercises at the same load.
Keywords: perceived exertion, muscular endurance, repetitions to fatigue, barbell bench press, dumbbell bench press
Topic(s):Exercise Science
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 7-12
Location: GEO-SUB
Time: 3:30