Unified bench press through the elimination of leg-drive to promote sports inclusion

Abstract

Background and Study Aim. Among the weightlifting disciplines we find the bench press in Powerlifting and Para Powerlifting, which are very similar. They have never been combined for several reasons, the most important of which is the use of two different barbell lifting techniques. Unlike Para Powerlifting, Powerlifting in the bench press involves the use of leg-drive, i.e. leg thrust, which is considered one of the possible determining factors for the success of this exercise. The aim of the study was to test whether the elimination of the leg-drive technique in Powerlifting, followed by a protocol of adapting to the Para Powerlifting technique, without leg-drive, made a difference in terms of lifting the maximum load (1RM). Material and Methods. The subjects were 10 male amateur athletes (22,3 ± 2,4 years old). The training protocol, administered for 2 weeks, consisted of finding the best possible position on the bench in the absence of leg-drive. The 1RM test with leg-drive and 1RM without leg-drive were administered. A dependent-samples t-test was used to compare the differences in 1RM test using the two techniques. Results. The result was not statistically significant (p >.05), as the maxima with the two techniques remained unchanged. Discussions. Para Powerlifting technique, without leg-drive, in bench press, allows athletes without disabilities to lift the same weights as the leg-drive technique, or slightly less. Conclusions. The results obtained are promising and the study, if extended and focused on high-level athletes with positive results, could open a new page in sport, representing a new step in sport towards inclusion.