THE EFFECTS OF ELASTIC BAND ASSISTANCE DURING PULL-UPS.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of elastic band assistance during the pull-up exercise. We investigated the differences between unassisted pull-ups compared to those performed with the assistance of elastic bands arranged in two different tying methods. Methods Thirty-three (M= 26, F= 7) participants volunteered for the study and completed university IRB approved protocols. Participants completed three randomly assigned protocols, performed no less than 72 hours apart, consisting of performing a single set of pull-ups to volitional fatigue. Protocol 1 consisted of performing bodyweight pull-ups without any external assistance (PUBW). Protocol 2 consisted of performing pull-ups with assistance from an elastic band hung vertically from the pull-up bar and the feet placed inside the elastic band (PUV). Protocol 3 consisted of performing pullups with assistance from an elastic band hung horizontally across the safety bars of a power rack, at the same height off the ground as PUV, with the feet on top of the band (PUH). Results Repeated-measures ANOVA with Bonferroni Post hoc revealed significant differences, PUBW (11.35 +7.30) had less pull-ups when compared to PUV (17.61 +9.77) and PUH (28.03 +14.42) (p<.001). PUH (28.03 +14.42) were significantly greater than PUV (17.61 +9.77) (p<.001). Conclusion Performing pull-ups with the assistance of elastic bands outputs a greater number of repetitions; the use of PUH produced three times as many repetitions, and the PUV produced about twice as many repetitions compared to no assistance. Practical application When lacking sufficient muscular strength, the use of elastic bands in the pull-up exercise may be efficacious for assisting the trainee to achieve higher repetitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]