Validity and Reliability of a New Test of Upper Body Power

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the concurrent validity of a new bench press power (BPP) test using the medicine ball put (MBP) as the criterion measure. Forty-three college-age students (19 males and 24 females) participated in the study. Participants performed 1 repetition at maximum speed using 61.4 kg (males) and 25 kg (females), at a grip width of 130% of biacromial breadth. Timing was initiated manually at the moment of upward bar movement and stopped automatically as the bar broke an infrared beam 0.3 m above the chest. All tests were conducted within 2 weeks. There was 1 practice session for the BPP test and 2 separate testing sessions, one for BPP and the other for the MBP. Three BPP trials were separated by >or=2 minutes of passive recovery. Individual scores were the average of the second and third tests and were expressed in Watts: Power=Bar mass kg.9.81x0.3 m/s. Medicine ball put scores were the average distance the ball was thrown on the second and third trials from a sitting position on a 45 degrees recumbent weight bench. Concurrent validity was determined by conducting a Pearson Correlation on BPP and MBP scores at an alpha level of 0.05: males, r=0.861; females, r=0.79, (p<0.000). In addition, results of an Intraclass R indicated excellent test-retest reliability for both males and females for BPP and the MBP (p<0.05). The conclusion was that the BPP test is a logically and concurrently valid method for coaches and trainers to use in assessing upper body power for both college-age males and females.

Upper Quadrant Field Tests and Isokinetic Upper Limb Strength in Overhead Athletes

“…35 Unlike in our study, the seated throw was performed unilaterally on only the dominant limb. A number of investigators 22,27,28,32,35,39 have pointed out the moderate to strong relationship between upper body power and a seated throw, which is in line with our results. Whereas power and strength are different variables, power is a product of strength and velocity; therefore, greater strength results in greater power and might, in turn, lead to comparable correlations.…”

“…The medicine ball was covered in magnesium carbonate (gymnastic chalk) to leave a clear print on the floor after each throw so that throwing distance could be easily determined. 28,33 To allow for different upper limb lengths, participants were instructed to adopt the test position with their elbows fully extended instead of flexed and to drop the ball straight down onto the tape measure. 27 The distance between the wall and the most proximate tangent of the medicine ball was subtracted from the total throwing distance.…”

“…This finding indicates that a farther distance achieved in the SMBT reflects more strength in the shoulder ER and IR muscles and the elbow flexor and extensor muscles. Several researchers have also found relationships between a seated throw and measurements of upper body power 22,27,28,32,35,39 and strength. 22,35,39 Nevertheless, comparing our results with those of other investigators is difficult because of the different types of seated throws, different weights used, and different populations tested.…”

“…In contrast, the YBT-UQ was correlated with the results of tests measuring core stability and upper extremity performance. 19 The SMBT is used widely as an assessment tool for bilateral upper body power in athletes, 22À26 older adults, 27 collegiate and university students, 28,29 soldiers, 30 healthy nonathletic individuals, 31 and children. 32À34 Nevertheless, research on the relationship between the SMBT and strength and power variables is limited, especially within an overhead athlete population.…”

Effect of nocturnal melatonin ingestion on short-term anaerobic performance in soccer players

“…The MBT was designed according to Clemons et al (2010). A 45°inclined bench was used to facilitate an optimal trajectory of 45°and to produce an optimal arm-to-torso angle.…”