Power-load relationship of bench press, ballistic bench press, and prone bench pull in Italian international canoeists and kayakers

Purpose
Athletes of kayak and canoe must have a high level of strength and power in the upper body and excellent muscular endurance and anaerobic capacity (1). Indeed, from a recent investigation, it was found that international medal-win-ning canoe sprinters have a slightly higher average power output (Pavg) than their non-trophy counterparts in bench press and bench pull (2). Therefore, the aim of our research was to describe the power-load (P-L) relationship through a comprehensive incremental test in the guided eccentric-concentric bench press (BP), guided eccentric-concentric ballistic bench press (BBP) and guided concentric-only prone bench pull (PBP) in international canoeist and kayaker athletes.

The main finding of our study is that in professional canoeists and kayakers the power-load relationship differs between PBP, BP and BBP exercises, with the high-est average power output monitored in the PBP in comparison with both, BP and BBP. Our study agrees with the one carried out by Sánchez-Medina et al., using a strength-trained population (5). In addition, the P-L relationship of the PBP in Italian international paddle athletes is extremely similar to the one monitored in the Spanish National rowing team (6).