Elite Female Weightlifters Research Articles

Foot Kinematics of Elite Female 59 kg Weightlifters in the 2018–2021 World Championships

Background/Objectives: Research on elite weightlifting performance is crucial for understanding the underlying attributes of efficient techniques. This study aimed to analyze the foot characteristics of elite female weightlifters in the 59 kg category during the snatch. Methods: Publicly available videos from the International Weightlifting Federation World Weightlifting Championships (2018–2021) were analyzed. Excluding the 2020 competition due to the COVID-19 pandemic and more unsuccessful attempts, a total of 20 videos were selected for kinematic analysis using Kenova video analysis software. Variables included the horizontal foot distance in the start and catch phases, horizontal displacement of sideway leg separation, and maximum vertical heel height of each foot. Results: The results revealed small to moderate significant negative correlations between snatch performance and maximum heel height (right: r = −0.28, p < 0.05; left: r = −0.332 p < 0.01). Snatch performance also demonstrated a small to moderate negative correlation with sideway leg separation and foot distance in the catch phase (r = −0.275, p < 0.01; r = −0.467, p < 0.01, respectively). Maximum heel height exhibited a very strong positive correlation between feet (r = 0.853, p < 0.01). Conclusions: A relatively narrower stance was found to be more beneficial for elite weightlifter performance. Strong coordination suggests advanced movement strategies in this complex lift. These findings contribute to the existing knowledge on weightlifting techniques and offer valuable insights for athletes and coaches seeking to improve performance in competitive environments.

Effect of intensive training on immune system cells in elite female weightlifters.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of intense weightlifting training on lymphocyte and natural killer cell subgroups, which are the major cells of the immune system, in elite female weightlifters. A total of 20 elite female weightlifters were evaluated using flow cytometry before training (pre-T), immediately after training (post-T), and after a 120-min rest period (rest-T). Post-T and rest-T showed significant decreases in helper T (Th) and cytotoxic T compared with pre-T (p=0.045, p<0.001 and p=0.05, p<0.001, respectively). B and natural killer cells were higher in post-T and rest-T than in pre-T. The increase in B cells was significant in pre-T/rest-T (p<0.001) but not in pre-T/post-T (p=0.122). Intense training significantly increased natural killer cells in both post-T and rest-T (p<0.001). CD56bright and CD56dim natural killer cell subgroups were significantly lower in post-T and rest-T than in pre-T (p=0.005, p=0.006 and p<0.001, p=0.004, respectively). This study shows that intense weightlifting alters peripheral lymphocyte and natural killer subgroup ratios, being the first investigation in this field.

Investigation of Trapezius Muscle Strength in Elite and Sub-Elite Female Weightlifters

Abstract Aim; In this study, it was majorly aimed to investigate trapezius muscle strength, and also to determine the relationship between trapezius muscle strength and weightlifting performance, and anthropometric characters in female weightlifters. Materials and Methods: In the study conducted on 42 Elite and Sub-Elite female weightlifters, trapezius muscle strengths were measured with a manual hand dynamometer. Statistical analysis was conducted with SPSS program. p &amp;lt; 0.05 was accepted significantly. Results: It was found that the right upper, middle, lower and left upper and lower trapezius muscle strength and weightlifting performance values were higher in the elite group (p &amp;lt; 0.01, p &amp;lt; 0.05, p &amp;lt; 0.01, p &amp;lt; 0.01, p &amp;lt; 0.01, p &amp;lt; 0.01, respectively). Moreover, a high level of correlation was found between left middle trapezius muscle strength and body mass index (BMI) and weightlifting performance in both groups (r=0.57, p &amp;lt; 0.01; r=0.59, p &amp;lt; 0.01; r=0.56, p &amp;lt; 0.01, r=0.70, p &amp;lt; 0.01, respectively). Conclusion: It can be said that there is a close relationship between trapezius muscle strength, which is higher in elite female weightlifters than in sub-elite weightlifters, and BMI and weightlifting performance.

A comparative study on the macronutrient intake of elite Indian female weightlifters and boxers

Weightlifting & Boxing are weight specific power events which involves high intensity training. Nutrient supply for fueling body stores as well as maintenance of body weight for the desired category is of utmost importance. This study is aimed to assess the energy and macro nutrient intake of elite female Weightlifters & Boxers of SAI and to compare with recommendation of NIN (National Institute of Nutrition) & SAI (Sports Authority of India). Out of a total of 45 sports persons, 22 were weightlifters & 23 were boxers. The compression between sports has been made based on weight category of heavy, middle & light. A questionnaire and 24 hr dietary recall were used to collect data. The mean energy intake was 2835 + 532.91, 2834.66 + 417.18, 2595.33 + 444.93 kcal in boxers of heavy, middle & light weight categories respectively. The mean energy intake was 4789.82 + 787.36, 4335.3 + 836.70 & 3372.18 + 826.13k.cal in weightlifters of heavy middle & light weight categories respectively. The comparison of percentage adequacy with NIN recommendations showed fairly adequate among all weight categories of weightlifters and inadequate among all weight categories of boxers. The mean percentage carbohydrate intake of total energy was 56%, 55% and 51% in heavy, middle and light respectively in boxers and 37%, 47% and 50% in heavy, middle and light respectively in weightlifters. The carbohydrate intake was low in weightlifters of all categories in comparison with boxers against recommendation. On the contrary, in boxing the carbohydrate intake was low only in light weight category. The protein intake was high in all categories of weightlifters compared to boxers and the recommended value. The protein intake was adequate in middle weight category boxers and moderate in high & light weight category boxers. Mean percentage fat intake of total energy was 26%, 24% & 28% in heavy, middle and light weight categories respectively among weightlifters and 31%, 30% & 26% in heavy, middle and light weight categories respectively among boxers. The intake of fat was high in weightlifting in all weight categories and in boxers it was high in middle & light weight categories. Adequate nutritional counselling is required to address the nutrient intake to the players for optimizing their performance.

RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF ACHIEVEMENTS OF WOMEN WEIGHTLIFTERS AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES

PURPOSE: Women’s Olympic weightlifting became a part of the program of the Olympic Games at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia. The Bulgarian weightlifting school has been very successful in preparing elite female weightlifters since its very introduction. This review aimed to assess and rank the results of the Bulgarian female weightlifters at the Olympic Games held between 2000 and 2016. METHODS: Rankings of the Bulgarian female weightlifters at the Olympic Games were analyzed and compared by both absolute weight and values corrected by the Sinclair coefficient. RESULTS: A positive trend in results for both competitive movements was found. Results in the clean and jerk were better on average than those in the snatch. We consider the higher performances of female weightlifters measured in the weight class of 69 kg as an indicator of evolution in their results during recent years. CONCLUSIONS: The Bulgarian school in women’s Olympic weightlifting established a tradition in preparing elite weightlifters during the last 18 years. To preserve this positive trend, coaches should base the sports selection process for young female weightlifters on scientific grounds.

Biomechanical Analysis of Successful and Unsuccessful Snatch Lifts in Elite Female Weightlifters

The aim of this study was to identify biomechanical factors affecting successful and unsuccessful snatch attempts in elite female weightlifters during the 2013 World Weightlifting Championships. Fourteen female competitors took part in this study. Their successful and unsuccessful snatch lifts with the same load were recorded with 2 camcorders (50 Hz), and selected points were digitized manually on to the body and the barbell using the Ariel Performance Analysis System. The kinetic and kinematic barbell movement as well as the athlete’s body movement variables during the liftoff phase were examined. The results of this study show statistical differences (p ≤ 0.05) between successful and unsuccessful attempts in relation to the angle values in the knee and hip joints in preparation for the aerial phase position. Similarly, the center of gravity velocity was significantly higher in successful attempts during the catch phase. Thus, coaches should pay particular attention to the accuracy of the execution in preparation for the aerial phase position and to the velocity of the center of gravity of the competitors during the catch phase.

Effects of Massage as a Combination Therapy with Lumbopelvic Stability Exercises as Compared to Standard Massage Therapy in Low Back Pain: a Randomized Cross-Over Study

Little is known about the effects of providing massage as a combination therapy (CT) with lumbopelvic stability training (LPST) in management of chronic nonspecific low back pain (CLBP) among elite female weight lifters. It is unclear whether massage therapy (MT) together with LPST has any additional clinical benefits for individuals with CLBP. The current study compares the therapeutic effects of CT against MT as a stand-alone intervention on pain intensity (PI), pain pressure threshold (PPT), tissue blood flow (TBF), and lumbopelvic stability (LPS) among elite weight lifters with CLBP. The study was conducted at the campus for National Olympic weight lifting training camp. A total of 16 professional female elite weight lifting athletes who were training for Olympic weight lifting competition participated in the study. A within-subject, repeated measures, crossover, single-blinded, randomized allocation study. The athletes were randomized into three sessions of CT and MT with a time interval of 24 hrs within sessions and a wash out period of four weeks between the sessions. The PI, PPT, TBF, and LPS were measured before and after each session repeatedly in both groups of intervention. The changes in the PI, PPT, TBF, and LPS were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results showed that the CT significantly demonstrated greater effects in reducing pain perception (45%-51%), improving pain pressure threshold (15% up to 25%), and increasing tissue blood flow (131%-152%) than MT (p < .001). The combination therapy of massage therapy and LPST is likely to provide more clinical benefits in terms of PI, PPT, and TBF when compared to massage as a stand-alone therapy among individuals with chronic nonspecific low back pain.

Characteristics of barbell trajectory in snatch, fulfilled by elite female weight-lifters

Purpose: to determine trajectories of elite female weight-lifters’ movements. Material: 137 elite sportswomen were tested. Analysis of sportswomen’s bio-kinematic actions was fulfilled with the help of Weight lifting analyzer 3.0 apparatus, Germany. Results: we found correlation of barbell snatch trajectory in respect to different weight categories of sportswomen. General characteristics of barbell trajectory are equal both for men and women. We determined indicators of barbell grip deviation from vertical axis. Optimal barbell trajectory depends on relative length values of body segments and other important factors. Conclusions: it was proved that execution of 2nd type trajectory of barbell horizontal movement is the most wide spread and effective. Such type of trajectory is the most often for high sport results off light weight categories (48-58 kg).

Biomechanical analysis of the snatch technique in junior elite female weightlifters

ABSTRACTThe strength and technical competence of junior female lifters play a decisive role not only for their current but also adulthood performance. The objective of this study was to investigate the three-dimensional kinematics of the snatch technique in junior female weightlifters. Ten elite junior female weightlifters participated in the study. Two cameras operating at 50 fields per second were used to record the lifts. The heaviest successful lifts were selected for the kinematic analysis. The kinematical data were obtained using a motion analysis system. The duration of the first pull was significantly longer than that of the other phases (P < 0.05). Maximum extension angle and velocity of the lower limb joints were significantly greater in the second pull (P < 0.05). The greatest extension angle was found in the knee joint during the first pull, while the greatest extension angle was observed in the hip joint during the second pull (P < 0.05). Maximum extension velocity of the knee and hip joints was significantly greater than that of the ankle in both phases (P < 0.05). In addition, the vertical velocity of the barbell and the absolute and relative power outputs was significantly higher in the second pull than in the first pull (P < 0.05). In the snatch lifting of junior female weightlifters, the angular kinematics of lower limb joints, the linear kinematics and trajectory of the barbell and other energy characteristics are similar to and consistent with the values reported in literature for adult female weightlifters.

Kinematic Analysis of the Snatch Lift With Elite Female Weightlifters During the 2010 World Weightlifting Championship

The objectives of this study were to determine the mechanical work, the power output, and the angular kinematics of the lower limb and the linear kinematics of the barbell during the first and second pulls in the snatch lift event of the 2010 Women's World Weightlifting Championship, an Olympic qualifying competition, and to compare the snatch performances of the women weightlifters to those reported in the literature. The heaviest successful snatch lifts of 7 female weightlifters who won gold medals were analyzed. The snatch lifts were recorded using 2 Super-Video Home System cameras (50 fields·s), and points on the body and the barbell were manually digitized using the Ariel Performance Analysis System. The results revealed that the duration of the first pull was significantly greater than the duration of the transition phase, the second pull, and the turnover under the barbell (p < 0.05). The maximum extension velocities of the lower limb in the second pull were significantly greater than the maximum extension velocities in the first pull. The fastest extensions were observed at the knee joint during the first pull and at the hip joint during the second pull (p < 0.05). The barbell trajectories for the heaviest snatch lifts of these elite female weightlifters were similar to those of men. The maximum vertical velocity of the barbell was greater during the second pull than in the first pull (p < 0.05). The mechanical work performed in the first pull was greater than the second pull, and the power output during the second pull was greater than that of the first pull (p < 0.05). Although the magnitudes of the barbell's linear kinematics, the angular kinematics of the lower limb, and other energy characteristics did not exactly reflect those reported in the literature, the snatch lift patterns of the elite women weightlifters were similar to those of male weightlifters.

EVIDENCE OF CONCENTRIC CARDIAC ENLARGEMENT IN FEMALE WEIGHTLIFTERS

774 The purpose of this study was to determine the nature of any cardiac adaptation in elite female weightlifters. Fifteen National Squad members (mean age±SD 25±6 years) were compared to a recreationally active control group (n=46, mean age±SD 23±3 years). Subjects were very closely matched for resting heart rate, blood pressures, body mass, body surface area and fat free mass. The controls were slightly but significantly taller (P<0.05). Septal wall (ST), posterior wall (PWT) and left ventricular internal dimension in diastole and systole (LVIDd, LVIDs) were measured from M-mode echocardiograms collected on all subjects at rest. Left ventricular mass (LVM) and systolic function measurements were calculated from these initial data. Left ventricular filling velocities were determined via Doppler echocardiography. Absolute ST (9.0±1.1 vs. 7.7±1.0 mm) and PWT (8.7±1.4 vs. 7.5±1.3 mm) were greater, whereas LVIDd(46.2±2.8 vs. 48.4±3.4 mm) was smaller (P<0.05) in the weightlifters. After allometrically adjusting for group differences in height the weightlifters had a significantly greater ST, PWT and LVM and similar LVIDd. All functional data were within normal limits and displayed no group differences. Female weightlifters in this study demonstrated a statistically significant degree of concentric left ventricular enlargement even after the removal of the influence of body dimension variables.