Selected Physiological, Psychological and Performance Characteristics of National-Caliber United States Women Weightlifters

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe physical, performance, physiological and psychological characteristics of national-level female weightlifters (TWL) and to compare these variables to untrained (UT) controls of similar age and weight. The subjects were 14 national-level weightlifters (age = 27±5; weight = 61.3 ± 11.5 kg) comprising the TWL and 13 UT (age = 26 ± 7; weight = 61.3 ± 9.9 kg) comprising the UT group. Body composition was assessed using skinfolds and girths. Performance was assessed by a vertical jump (VJ) and static vertical jump (SVJ) and conversion of these two measures to power. Hormones were measured by RIA. Blood lipids and glucose were measured by standard procedures (Sigma Kits). A questionnaire was used to assess menstrual cycle differences. Personality differences were assessed using the Personality Attributes Questionnaire (PAQ). The degree of satisfaction with body parts and functions was determined with the body cathexis scale. The TWL were leaner (p ≤ 0.05) than the UT as assessed by sum of skinfolds (TWL = 117.7 ± 24.0; UT = 181.6 ± 31.2. The TWL had a greater (p ≤ 0.0001) VJ (50 ± 8 cm) compared to the UT (32.4 ± 7.5 cm) and a greater (p ≥ 0.05) SVJ than the UT (TWL = 45.8 ± 6.4 cm; UT = 27.2 ± 6.5). Serum concentrations of hormones (testosterone, estradiol, growth hormone, cortisol), lipids (cholesterol, HDL-C and triglycerides), glucose, menstrual cycle phase and body cathexis values were not significantly different between groups. The PAQ indicated that the TWL had more masculine traits than the UT. These data suggest that the TWL are leaner, more powerful and have more masculine personalities than the UT, but are similar to the UT in terms of resting serum hormones, lipid, and glucose concentrations.