Squat and Bench Press Force-Velocity Profiling in Male and Female Adolescent Rugby Players

Abstract

Power development is critical for enhancing rugby performance because there is a close relationship between power and sport-specific skills. The aim of this study was to examine the force-velocity profiling generated by adolescent rugby players in the squat and bench press exercises and to compare sex-related differences. Subjects were 46 men (age: 14.48 ± 1.31 years; body height: 1.65 ± 0.09 m; and body mass: 58.07 ± 13.01 kg) and 41 women (age: 14.93 ± 2.76 years; body height: 1.63 ± 0.12 m; and body mass: 59.23 ± 12.66 kg) who were recruited from a national amateur rugby league team. Maximal strength, power, and velocity were assessed on the squat and bench press exercises using a Smith Machine and a linear power transducer with intensities ranging from 40 to 80% 1 repetition maximum (1RM) on the squat and 50–80% 1RM on the bench press. 1 repetition maximum squat and bench press performance were 104.26 ± 30.83 and 46.97 ± 13.59 kg, respectively, for men and 115.17 ± 41.42 and 45.85 ± 16.71 kg, respectively, for women. The maximum squat power results for men and women were 521.91 ± 298.75 and 591.26 ± 352.69 W, respectively, and the maximum bench press power results for men and women were 190.26 ± 150.54 and 326.16 ± 195.57 W, respectively. Significant sex-related differences (p < 0.001) were found on the squat exercise for maximum (40%), mean (40–50%), and time to maximum velocities (40–80%) as well as time to maximum power (80%). On the bench press exercise, significant sex-related differences (p < 0.001) were found for power and time to maximum velocity (40%-60%-70%-80%). These results may aid in the design of strength and conditioning programs for adolescent rugby players by targeting training prescriptions toward enhancing strength or velocity.