Multi- to Single-Joint or the Reverse Exercise Order does not Affect Pectoralis Major Workout Performance

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the acute effects of multi- to single-joint or the reverse exercise order on repetition performance and perceived exertion for the pectoralis major. Fourteen trained men (24.05 ± 4.17 yrs, 78.85 ± 3.51 kg, 175.42 ± 4.01 cm) underwent two different training sequences (SEQ1 and SEQ2). In SEQ1, all subjects performed 5 sets for maximal repetitions, with a 2-min rest interval, of the bench press followed by the machine chest fly with 10 repetitions maximum load. In SEQ2, the same procedures were repeated, but with the reverse order. The t-test did not show any differences (p = 0.140) in total workout repetitions between SEQ1 (62.22 ± 11.00 repetitions) and SEQ2 (55.40 ± 8.51 repetitions). Conversely, the total repetition number for the bench press exercise was significantly greater (p = 0.001) following SEQ1 (34.36 ± 4.68 repetitions) compared to SEQ2 (25.85 ± 6.73 repetitions). In contrast, the total repetition number for the machine chest fly exercise following SEQ2 was significantly greater (p = 0.001) (33.50 + 4.11 repetitions) compared to SEQ1 (27.85 ± 6.52 repetitions). Despite no significant differences found for the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) values between SEQ1 and SEQ2 for the barbell bench press in all sets (p ≥ 0.083), significantly higher RPE values for the machine chest fly were observed over the first three sets following SEQ1 compared to SEQ2 (p < 0.01). In conclusion, the total workout repetitions were not significantly different when performing the traditional multi- to single-joint or the reverse exercise order when training the pectoralis major muscle.