The Effect of Elbow Sleeves on Bench Press and Shoulder Press Performance
- Mar 4
- 2 min read
The IUSCA's International Journal of Strength and Conditioning is the world leading Diamond Open Access journal in S&C and Sport Science. We have recently published a new article by Mehus, H. A., Stamnes, M., Larsen, M. O., Gomo, O. M., & Unhjem, R. J. (2025). titled "The Effect of Elbow Sleeves on Bench Press and Shoulder Press Performance”
Abstract
Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of neoprene elbow sleeves on performance in bench press and shoulder press.
Methods: Nineteen resistance trained males and one female (24 ± 4 years; 181 ± 8 cm; 83 ± 11kg) visited the laboratory on four occasions. Participants were randomly assigned in a crossover and counterbalanced design to one of two conditions: with SBD neoprene elbow sleeves and without sleeves. During each visit, participants completed one repetition maximum (1RM) followed by ‘as many repetitions as possible’ (AMRAP) to concentric failure at 85% of 1RM. Test day one and three were bench press; test day two and four were shoulder press.
Results: 1RM bench press was higher with sleeves than without sleeves (104.8 ± 17.7 kg vs. 103.2 ± 18.7 kg, p = 0.015). Bench press AMRAP was higher with sleeves than without sleeves (5.2 ± 1.4 vs. 4.1 ± 2.0, p = 0.006). 1RM shoulder press was higher with sleeves than without sleeves (66.0 ± 13.9 vs. 64.0 ± 13.7, p = 0.008). Shoulder press AMRAP was higher with sleeves than without sleeves (5.8 ± 1.3 vs. 4.6 ± 1.2, p = 0.001). No significant differences were observed in mean or peak barbell velocity between conditions (p >0.05).
Conclusion: Neoprene elbow sleeves improved 1RM and AMRAP in bench press and shoulder press, but not barbell velocity.
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