Use of chains as a means of intensifying the load in resistance training

Abstract

We continually try to develop new training techniques by constantly trying to improve the adaptations of strength and power in vivo. A relatively innovative and interesting method, used as a mechanism to produce variable resistance within the single repetition, concerns the addition of chains to the most common resistance with plates. The logic inherent to the use of chains is that these provide a variable resistance, unlike that provided by the plates alone, which turns out to be of a constant type, thus you could get more benefits in different areas of physical conditioning. After introducing the main biomechanical characteristics associated with this type of resistance material, and having identified a series of solutions on the quantification and standardization of the real resistive load and on the correct setup of the chains, the objective of this review was to highlight and above all to analyze the various deficiencies present in the literature, making sure that the latter could be studied and eliminated through future research. At present, concerning the various components involved in physical conditioning, as a strength, power and rate of force development, a dissimilar result base emerges; while more convincing results emerged for the use of chains in shoulder pain prevention during bench press performance. In conclusion, based on the results of the various investigations to the detriment of the encouraging theories that accompany the use of chains, there is a literature that shows not questionable results, due to multiple variables not yet considered or treated in an approximate way.