Effects of velocity-based hypertrophy training on pectoralis major morphology, neuromuscular activation and bench...

To explore the effects of velocity-based hypertrophy training and percentage-based hypertrophy training on pectoralis major morphology, as well as maximal and explosive bench press strength in trained young males.

Nineteen participants were assigned to Percentage-based training (PBT) and Velocity-based training (VBT) for 10 weeks. Assessments were conducted at pre-, mid-, and post-training and included pectoralis major cross-sectional area (CSA), bench press maximal voluntary isometric contraction, surface electromyography (EMG), one-repetition maximum (1RM) and load-velocity relationship (LVR). LVR based load adjustments were performed at each session for the VBT group.

Maximum voluntary isometric contraction and EMG remained unchanged over time in both groups. Distal, medial and proximal CSA and 1RM increased similarly between groups and time points (p < 0.05, ~ 15% increase from pre- to post-training). Although both groups performed a similar number of repetitions, the VBT group exhibited reduced eccentric time under tension (TUT).

These findings indicate that VBT does not enhance muscle hypertrophy, maximal strength, or muscle activation. Overall, we highlight that, for the same number of repetitions performed, manipulating training intensity as a function of velocity during training did not yield hypertrophic advantage.