Safer, stronger, smarter: Dumbbell floor press the future of 1RM testing

This research aims to investigate the relationship between the performance of a dumbbell floor press and the traditional barbell bench press, as a safer alternative means of assessing maximal strength in upper body pressing. The 1 repetition maximum (1RM) test using a Barbell Bench Press (BBP) has been widely used for this purpose but can be time-consuming and poses an increased risk of injury when performed incorrectly, particularly among novice individuals. The most common injuries associated with the bench press are anterior glenohumeral instability, atraumatic osteolysis of the distal clavicle, and pectoralis major rupture. Alternative protocols for estimating 1RM, such as the YMCA bench press, sub-maximal BBP, and push-ups, have been established but also pose some risk of injury. The theory is that performing a dumbbell floor press may be a safer alternative, as it provides a stable base for the scapula and shortens the range of motion on the press, eliminating excessive anterior humeral slide. Two case studies have shown that exercises using a bench in horizontal and push-ups can cause bilateral shoulder dislocation. This study aims to fill the gap in the literature by examining the relationship between the dumbbell floor press and the barbell bench press. The findings of this study may provide health professionals with an alternative means of assessing upper body pressing strength for participants who may be at risk of injury with traditional testing protocols.

Poster submission was sponsored by Dr. Ken Anderson, (Sports Science Department) for course SPSC 4256 and was presented at the New Westminster campus on April 12, 2023, for Student Research Days 2023.