Energy Cost , Number of Maximum Repetitions , and Rating of Perceived Exertion in Resistance Exercise with Stable and Unstable Platforms

Panza P, Aranda LC, Damasceno VO, Bentes CM, Novaes JS, Behm DG, Vianna JM. Energy Cost, Number of Maximum Repetitions, and Rating of Perceived Exertion in Resistance Exercise with Stable and Unstable Platforms. JEPonline 2014; 17(3):77-87. The purpose of this study was to compare the energy cost, the rating of perceived exertion, and the maximum number of repetitions with 80% of 1RM bench press exercise on stable and unstable surfaces. Ten trained men (age 23 ± 2.16 yrs) performed a 1RM bench press test that was followed 48 hrs later with 80% of 1RM until failure of the concentric muscles. There were no significant differences between the rating of perceived exertion (P=0.352) or the number of repetitions (P=1.00) with the unstable and stable trials. However, the unstable platform led to significantly higher energy costs than the stable platform (P=0.02). In conclusion, the bench press exercise performed on an unstable surface resulted in higher energy expenditure.