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

PURPOSE: 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. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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). CONCLUSION: 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.