Effect of Foot Position on Isometric Bench Press Performance

The bench press is a multi-joint exercise commonly used to improve upper body strength. Previous investigations have analyzed biomechanical variables during bench press variations. However, no known studies have examined the effect of foot position on force output and muscle activity. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of different foot placements on isometric bench press performance. Twenty-one trained males participated in this investigation. Subjects performed the isometric bench press with a normal foot placement with both feet down on the ground (FD), both feet up on the edge of the bench (FU), and both feet resting on an adjacent bench (FO) in a randomized order. Subjects performed 3 maximum isometric contractions for approximately 3 s each. Peak force (PF) and average integrated electromyography (avgIEMG) values were recorded for the pectoralis major (PM), anterior deltoid (AD), triceps brachii (TB), vastus lateralis (VL), biceps femoris (BF), and gastrocnemius (G) muscles. A repeated measures general linear model returned no significant differences between conditions for PR or avgIEMG. In this investigation, the bar was attached to a rack which did not permit lateral, anterior, or posterior motion of the bar. In a free weight bench, the results may be different.