Post-exercise energy expenditure of half squat and bench press at different load percentages and controlled cadence

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of movement velocity and intensity on EPOC fast component in bench press and half squat exercises performed to concentric failure. Twelve healthy recreational bodybuilders performed 10 days of experimental procedures: the 1st and 2nd days were to load determination (1RM test and re-test), the 3rd to 10th days performing the bench press and half squat exercises with 60 and 80% 1RM performed in slow (1s/1s) and high (2s/2s) movement velocity cadence 52 beats. Oxygen consumptionas continuously measured in the first 20-min post-exercise using Cosmed K4 b2 portable device. A multivariate analysis compared the EPOC averaged in each minute post-exercise according to the different exercises, intensities and movement velocities. Was observed that EPOC declines fast from the 1st to 2nd minute and attains almost 100% of the decline near resting VO2 values at the 3rd minute of recovery both exercises. Greatest EPOC accumulated, during the eight minutes, was to exercise that involved the largest muscle group (half squat) with high intensity (80% 1RM) and greater movement velocity (1s/1s). In the full 20-min interval, the half squat had an energy equivalent of almost 80% more compared with the bench press. The higher velocities enhance energy expenditure to a greater extent than a more fatiguing slower exercise.