The 'Bench Rite' Orthosis Decreases Cervical Muscle Activation During the Bench Press.

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Biomechanics
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Limited data exists on cervical paraspinal muscle activation during bench presses.
• High cervical spine loads during bench presses may increase intervertebral disk injury risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To test the hypothesis that a cervical orthosis reduces cervical paraspinal muscle activation during bench presses.
• To quantify the effect of the "Bench Rite" cervical orthosis on muscle activation.

Main Methods:

• Comparative electromyographic study (Level III evidence).
• Fifteen healthy subjects performed bench presses with and without a cervical orthosis.
• Electromyography measured muscle activation of pectoralis major, deltoid, C5 paraspinal, and trapezius muscles.

Main Results:

• The cervical orthosis significantly decreased C5 paraspinal (37%) and deltoid (9.8%) muscle activation.
• Trapezius muscle activation significantly increased (9.3%) with the orthosis.
• No significant difference in pectoralis major activation was observed.

Conclusions:

• The "Bench Rite" cervical orthosis can reduce cervical paraspinal muscle activation during bench presses.
• This may offer a protective benefit for weightlifters by reducing cervical spine strain.
• Pectoralis major activation remains unaffected, suggesting no compromise in primary bench press muscles.