Investigating The Effect Of Fat Bar Attachments On Peak Velocity, Repetitions Until Failure, Energy Expenditure, And Respiratory Quotient In The Bench Pull Exercise

New methods of training in resistance exercise include the use of thick or “fat” bar attachments to promote forearm and grip strength. No study has investigated how these tools affect both acute biomechanical and physiological factors of barbell exercise. PURPOSE: Investigate the effect of using a thick barbell attachment (5.72 cm diameter) on peak velocity, repetitions until failure, total energy expenditure, and respiratory quotient during the bench pull exercise performed at 60% 1RM. METHODS: Six healthy resistance-trained college-aged men underwent three visits. First visit was used to calculate one-rep max (1RM) through force-velocity profiling. Second and third visits were randomized and used to compare testing between fat bar (FB) and seal row barbell (SRB) conditions on peak velocity (m/s), repetitions until failure, respiratory quotient (RQ), and total energy expenditure (TEE) in kcal. The first visit consisted of four sets with 3 minutes rest of 50% estimated 1RM 10 reps, 75% 1RM for 6 reps, 85% 1RM for 3 reps, and 95% 1RM for 1 rep respectively. Peak velocity was then used to calculate 1RM in the exercise through a force-velocity curve. The second and third trial consisted of five sets at 60% calculated 1RM, with Sets 1-4 being 6 reps and Set 5 going until failure. RESULTS: Mixed models showed that in Set 1, the FB (1.088 +/- 0.136 m/s) and SRB conditions (1.056 +/- 0.106 m/s) did not significantly differ in peak velocity (p = 0.181, CI = -0.035 +/- 0.186 m/s). In Set 2, the FB (1.069 +/- 0.136 m/s) and SRB conditions (1.118 +/- 0.129 m/s) did not significantly differ in peak velocity (p = 0.063, CI = -0.216 +/- 0.006 m/s). In Set 3, the FB condition (1.069 +/- 0.171 m/s) resulted in significantly slower peak velocities compared to the SRB condition (1.135 +/- 0.159 m/s) (p = 0.013, CI = 0.252 +/- 0.031 m/s). For Set 4, the FB condition (1.047 +/- 0.182 m/s) resulted in significantly slower peak velocities compared to the SRB condition (1.120 +/- 0.157 m/s) (p = 0.008, CI = 0.261 +/- 0.039 m/s). Repetitions until failure, TEE, and RQ were not found to be significant between the two conditions. CONCLUSION: Individuals training for explosiveness in the bench pull exercise at moderate loads (