Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Isotonic and Isometric Muscle Contractions01:22

Isotonic and Isometric Muscle Contractions

6.1K
Two primary types of muscle contractions are isotonic and isometric, each serving unique functions and involving distinct mechanisms. Both isotonic and isometric contractions are integral to the body's complex system of movement and stability. Isotonic exercises contribute significantly to functional strength and movement, while isometric contractions are crucial for maintaining posture and joint stability.
Isotonic contractions
Isotonic contractions occur when a muscle changes length while...
6.1K
Exercise and Muscle Performance01:27

Exercise and Muscle Performance

2.2K
Exercise induces a range of adaptations in muscle tissue, depending on the type and duration of activity. Such physical training can be broadly categorized into two types: endurance exercises and resistance exercises.
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...
2.2K
Muscle Coordination and Action01:24

Muscle Coordination and Action

2.9K
Muscle coordination is a complex and finely tuned process essential for smooth and purposeful movements like flexion, extension, adduction, abduction, and rotation. The human body orchestrates the actions of various muscles working in concert, each with a specific role. Four functional types describe how muscles work together: agonist, antagonist, synergist, and fixator.
Agonists
Agonist muscles, often called prime movers, are the primary muscles responsible for producing a specific movement....
2.9K
Muscle Stimulation Frequency01:22

Muscle Stimulation Frequency

4.1K
The contraction strength of muscles is regulated by motor neurons, which modulate the frequency of action potentials dispatched to the motor units based on the body's requirements. This process of varying the muscle stimulation frequency allows muscles to contract with a force that is precisely tailored to the needs of the moment, whether lifting a feather or a heavy box.
Wave summation
At low firing rates, motor neurons induce individual twitch contractions in muscle fibers. These twitches...
4.1K
Muscles of the Shoulder01:23

Muscles of the Shoulder

8.4K
The muscles surrounding the shoulder girdle, including the clavicle and scapula, primarily stabilize the scapula. This stable base allows other muscles to move the humerus effectively. Scapular movements often mirror those of the humerus and extend its range of motion. For instance, raising the arm above the head would not be feasible without simultaneous upward rotation of the scapula.
Anterior Thoracic Muscles
The anterior thoracic muscles include the serratus anterior, subclavius, and...
8.4K
Axial and Appendicular Muscles01:18

Axial and Appendicular Muscles

2.6K
Skeletal muscles, the key players in our body's movement, can be classified into two groups based on their location and function: axial muscles and appendicular muscles. These classifications reflect the primary roles the muscles play in the body's structure and movement.
Axial Muscles
Axial muscles, situated along the body's midline, are intricately connected to the axial skeleton, which includes the skull, spine, ribs, and sternum. These muscles facilitate facial expressions and...
2.6K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Longitudinal Development of Neuromuscular Performance and Multidirectional Speed in Youth Badminton Players: Evidence for Parallel Adaptation Trajectories.

Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)·2026
Same author

Acute Blood Pressure Responses to Agonist and Agonist-Antagonist Paired Set Resistance Training in Normotensive and Stage 1 Hypertensive Individuals.

Research quarterly for exercise and sport·2026
Same author

Effects of Low-Carbohydrate and Ketogenic Diets on Anaerobic Performance in Competitive Athletes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Nutrients·2026
Same author

Exercise-Based Strategies from Warm-Up to Training: A Systematic Review of Performance Enhancement and Injury Prevention.

Sports (Basel, Switzerland)·2026
Same author

Pre-Exercise Hydration Modulates the Sweat Rate and Executive Control during Moderate Exercise to 3% Dehydration under Thermoneutral Conditions.

Journal of human kinetics·2026
Same author

Genes and Injuries in Sports: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Journal of human kinetics·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 19, 2025

Muscle Imbalances: Testing and Training Functional Eccentric Hamstring Strength in Athletic Populations
07:30

Muscle Imbalances: Testing and Training Functional Eccentric Hamstring Strength in Athletic Populations

Published on: May 1, 2018

15.8K

Changes in Muscle Pattern Activity during the Asymmetric Flat Bench Press (Offset Training).

Jakub Jarosz1, Artur Gołaś1, Michal Krzysztofik1

  • 1Institute of Sport Sciences, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, ul. Mikolowska 72a, 40-065 Katowice, Poland.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
|June 5, 2020
PubMed
Summary

Asymmetric loading during the flat bench press (BP) significantly increases muscle activity on the loaded side. This offset training method can help reduce muscle imbalances and improve performance in bilateral exercises.

Keywords:
bilateral movementinjury and preventionperformanceresistance exercise

More Related Videos

Combining Multiple Data Acquisition Systems to Study Corticospinal Output and Multi-segment Biomechanics
08:48

Combining Multiple Data Acquisition Systems to Study Corticospinal Output and Multi-segment Biomechanics

Published on: January 9, 2016

7.2K
Muscle Function Obtained with Motion Mode Ultrasound and Surface Electromyography during Core Endurance Exercise
09:21

Muscle Function Obtained with Motion Mode Ultrasound and Surface Electromyography during Core Endurance Exercise

Published on: August 25, 2022

3.7K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Dec 19, 2025

Muscle Imbalances: Testing and Training Functional Eccentric Hamstring Strength in Athletic Populations
07:30

Muscle Imbalances: Testing and Training Functional Eccentric Hamstring Strength in Athletic Populations

Published on: May 1, 2018

15.8K
Combining Multiple Data Acquisition Systems to Study Corticospinal Output and Multi-segment Biomechanics
08:48

Combining Multiple Data Acquisition Systems to Study Corticospinal Output and Multi-segment Biomechanics

Published on: January 9, 2016

7.2K
Muscle Function Obtained with Motion Mode Ultrasound and Surface Electromyography during Core Endurance Exercise
09:21

Muscle Function Obtained with Motion Mode Ultrasound and Surface Electromyography during Core Endurance Exercise

Published on: August 25, 2022

3.7K

Area of Science:

  • Biomechanics
  • Exercise Physiology
  • Sports Science

Background:

  • Muscle imbalances can affect exercise performance and increase injury risk.
  • The flat bench press (BP) is a common bilateral exercise.
  • Investigating methods to address muscle imbalances during bilateral exercises is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare muscle activity between symmetric and asymmetric loads during the flat bench press (BP).
  • To determine the effects of varying degrees of load asymmetry on muscle activation.
  • To explore the potential of asymmetric loading for reducing muscle imbalances.

Main Methods:

  • 10 resistance-trained males performed the BP at 70% of their one-repetition maximum (1RM) with symmetric and asymmetric loads (2.5%, 5%, 7.5% difference).
  • Muscle activity of the pectoralis major (PM), anterior deltoid (AD), and triceps brachii (TB) was recorded for both dominant and non-dominant sides.
  • A two-way repeated-measures ANOVA was used to analyze the data.

Main Results:

  • A statistically significant interaction between load side and asymmetry was found for AD, PM, and TB muscles (p < 0.01).
  • Asymmetric loading resulted in significantly higher muscle activity on the loaded side of the body.
  • The degree of asymmetry influenced the magnitude of muscle activation differences.

Conclusions:

  • Asymmetrically loaded BP exercises lead to greater muscle activation on the loaded side.
  • Offset training using asymmetric loads is a potentially effective and simple strategy for addressing muscle imbalances.
  • This method may enhance bilateral exercise performance by targeting and correcting asymmetries.