Olympic Weightlifting Research Articles

Age And Sex Related Power, Force And Velocity In Elite Older Masters Olympic Weightlifters

Age And Sex Related Power, Force And Velocity In Elite Older Masters Olympic Weightlifters

Are Anthropometric Measures, Range of Motion, or Movement Control Tests Associated with Lumbopelvic Flexion during Barbell Back Squats?

Resistance training with the barbell back squat (BBS) exercise is practiced in sports, recreation, and rehabilitation. Although extensively debated, it is commonly believed and recommended that maintaining a neutral lumbopelvic alignment during BBS is an important technical aspect that might reduce the risk of injury. There is limited knowledge of how objectively measurable factors affect the extent to which the lumbopelvic region moves into flexion during a BBS. The aim of the study was to investigate the association among anthropometric measurements, range of motion in the hips and ankle joints, lumbopelvic movement control tests, and flexion of the lumbopelvic region during execution of the BBS. Observational, cross sectional. Eighteen experienced powerlifters and Olympic weightlifters were included and measurements of lumbopelvic movements were collected with inertial measurement units during BBS performed at 70 % of 1RM. Examination of anthropometric properties, range of motion in the hip and ankle joints, and lumbopelvic movement control tests were collected as independent variables. Linear regression analysis was used to investigate which independent variables were associated with lumbopelvic flexion during a BBS. The linear regression showed that a higher range of motion in ankle dorsiflexion could statistically significantly explain an increased amplitude of lumbopelvic flexion during the BBS. Anthropometrics, range of motion of the hips, and performance in lumbopelvic movement control tests did not show any statistically significant associations. The results suggest that strength and conditioning professionals and clinicians who instruct and assess lifting technique in the BBS and/or use the BBS to assess performance or as an intervention should recognize that a higher range of motion in the ankle joints might affect lumbopelvic flexion during the BBS. In practice, the value of an individual assessment of lifting technique focusing on the goal of the movement should be emphasized. 3.

Unveiling individuality in the early phase of motor learning: a machine learning approach for analysing weightlifting technique in novices.

Despite the growing body of evidence highlighting the individuality in movement techniques, predominant models of motor learning, particularly during the acquisition phase, continue to emphasise generalised, person-independent approaches. Biomechanical studies, coupled with machine learning approaches, have demonstrated the uniqueness of movement techniques exhibited by individuals. However, this evidence predominantly pertains to already stabilised movement techniques, particularly evident in cyclic daily activities such as walking, running, or cycling, as well as in expert-level sports movements. This study aims to evaluate the hypothesis of individuality in whole-body movements necessitating intricate coordination and strength among novice participants at the very beginning of an acquisition phase. In a within-subject design, sixteen highly active male participants (mean age: 23.1 ± 2.1 years), all absolute novices in the learning task (i.e., power snatch of Olympic weightlifting), participated in randomised snatch learning bouts. These bouts comprised 36 trials across various motor learning models: differential learning contextual interference (serial, sCIL; and blocked, bCIL), and repetitive learning. Kinematic and kinetic data were collected from three standardised snatch trials performed following each motor learning model bout. The time-continuous data were input to a linear Support Vector Machine (SVM). We conducted analyses on two classification tasks: participant and motor learning model. The Support Vector Machine classification revealed a notably superior participant classification compared to the motor learning model classification, with an averaged prediction accuracy of 78% (in average ≈35 out of 45 test trials across the folds) versus 27.3% (in average ≈9 out of 36 test trials across the folds). In specific fold and input combinations, accuracies of 91% versus 38% were respectively achieved. Methodically, the crucial role of selecting appropriate data pre-processing methods and identifying the optimal combinations of SVM data inputs is discussed in the context of future research. Our findings provide initial support for a dominance of individuality over motor learning models in movement techniques during the early phase of acquisition in Olympic weightlifting power snatch.

Correction: The Masters athlete in Olympic weightlifting: Training, lifestyle, health challenges, and gender differences

Correction: The Masters athlete in Olympic weightlifting: Training, lifestyle, health challenges, and gender differences

Scientific debate between two main athletic training methods Powerlifting and Olympic lifting

Scientific debate between two main athletic training methods Powerlifting and Olympic lifting

The Effects of Holistic, External, and Internal Attentional Focus Instructions on Power and Kinematics of the Hang Power Snatch in Highly Skilled Weightlifters.

Athletes across various sports seek to enhance their power generation and force production by incorporating weightlifting exercises into their training. Therefore, integrating partial weightlifting movements could be sensible due to their simplified execution. Our research aimed to investigate which of four attentional focus strategies (external, internal, holistic, and neutral) would have the greatest impact on performance in terms of power variables for highly experienced weightlifting athletes in a practical training setting. Twelve highly skilled Olympic weightlifters volunteered for the study. They performed 48 single repetitions of the hang power snatch with each of the four attentional focus strategies. Results of the ANOVA did not reveal a significant main effect for maximum velocity, power measurement and displacement. Despite extensive research demonstrating how attentional focus affects performance differently, even among highly skilled populations, the lack of observed effects in our study underscores the challenges of conducting research in applied settings.

‘Just Like Pandemic Prevention’: The Semiotic Flow That Interweaves Multimodality, Metaphor, and Narrativity

ABSTRACT This study investigates how COVID-19 advice is creatively delivered in a one-minute video produced by the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control in February 2022. It examines metaphors in verbal, visual, and multimodal modes, and illustrates how such metaphors interact with multimodal narrativity. Drawing on the insights of studies on multimodal metaphors, this paper seeks to identify which are the most pervasive metaphors or what dominant metaphor, if any, is used in the video. It finds that the metaphorical mappings between coping with the covid pandemic and handling olympic weightlifting are represented across modes and that the creative delivery of COVID-19 advice is woven from a warp of metaphors in various modes and a weft of narrativity across modes. Such metaphorical creativity is underpinned by the semiotic flow that features four interconnected configurations: moving between metaphorization, literalization, and re-metaphorization; somehow blurring the source-target boundary; expanding the range of functions that the multimodal representation can serve; and initiating a metaphorical thought from one or more contextual factors.

Weighing the Body: Women Olympic Weightlifters Negotiating Weight Class, Body Image, and the Unruly Body

Women athletes’ experiences of gendered body ideals and empowerment have been well-documented. However, the existing literature largely neglects strength sports, which have a complex relationship with gendered norms given their historical association with masculinity and wide range of weight classes. In this article, we use a feminist poststructuralist lens to explore how eight Olympic Weightlifters participating in the women’s category choose their weight classes while balancing strength, competitiveness, and esthetics. Participants often referenced sport-specific and gendered body discourses when choosing their weight classes, yet also identified a nondiscursive element that could force them to forego athletic and esthetic body ideals: the body itself. Based on these narratives, we suggest that awareness of the “rebellious body” be considered an important element of women athletes’ bodily empowerment.

Percentile Rankings And Normalization Of Performance For International Weightlifting Federation World Championships Competitors

The present study provided percentile rankings and gender and weight class comparisons, for absolute and allometrically scaled Olympic Weightlifting (OW) performance, as well as Sinclair scores, for International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Championships competitors. Data from the IWF Senior World Championships for 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2022 were compiled. OW performance was allometrically scaled for body weight, and Sinclair scores were calculated based on IWF standards. Percentile rankings and gender and weight class differences were computed for absolute and allometrically scaled OW performance measures, as well as Sinclair scores. This study provided percentile rank values for absolute, allometrically scaled, and Sinclair scored OW performance with the weight classes implemented in 2018 by the IWF. OW performance increased with weight class. When allometrically scaled, the lightest and heaviest weight classes had the lowest OW performance, while Sinclair scores were similar across weight class. Men remained stronger than women for allometrically scaled clean & jerk and total, which was similar for gender-related comparisons of Sinclair scores, while allometrically scaled snatch was similar for men and women. The present results provide coaches and practitioners percentile rankings and allometric parameters that may be used to assess OW performance for elite-level weightlifting competitors.

Bibliometric Insights into Olympic Weightlifting Research Trends

Prologue: This research paper employs a rigorous bibliometric analysis to illuminate the evolving landscape of Olympic weightlifting research. The dynamic nature of weightlifting movements and their multifaceted impact on athletes form the backdrop of this study. The research identified key themes such as biomechanics, injury prevention, and the psychological aspects of weightlifting. Leveraging the extensive Web of Science database. Methodology: In conducting this bibliometric analysis of Olympic weightlifting research, the database of Web of Science was selected as the primary source of data. A comprehensive search until January 8, 2024, yielded 10,103 articles, focusing on weightlifting, snatch, and clean and jerk. The first method involved utilizing specific keywords related to the subject, while the second method entailed identifying articles in selected journals. For inclusion the criteria were fixed to ensure relevance, including peer-reviewed publications in English. Data cleaning procedures addressed errors such as misspelled author names and variations in author affiliations. The VOSviewer 1.6.19 software facilitated bibliometric analysis, with a specific focus on keyword occurrences and co-occurrence mapping to unveil the intellectual structure of weightlifting research. This methodological approach ensures a systematic and comprehensive examination of the extensive body of literature in the field. Results and Conclusions: The bibliometric analysis presents a vivid snapshot of Olympic weightlifting research trends, showcasing a steady increase in interest over the years. Visualization tools unveil the centrality of "Power" and its robust connections with key concepts like strength and performance. The co-occurrence analysis provides a nuanced understanding of the intellectual structure, emphasizing the multidimensionality of weightlifting studies. These findings underscore the growing role of bibliometric analysis in sports sciences. In conclusion, this research contributes invaluable insights into the evolving landscape of Olympic weightlifting, encapsulating biomechanics, injury prevention, and psychological aspects. The paper serves as a comprehensive resource for researchers, aligning with contemporary discourse and shaping the trajectory of future studies in the field.

Olympic Weightlifting Training for Sprint Performance in Athletes: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine whether Olympic weightlifting (OW) exercises would improve sprint performance when compared to a control intervention, (no training, standard sport-specific training, traditional resistance training, or plyometric training). Medline, Web of Science, SportDiscus, CINAHL, and Biological Science from inception to September 2022 was searched. Two authors independently selected the included studies, extracted data, and appraised the risk of bias. Certainty of the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology. The primary meta-analysis combined the results of the sprint performance over the full length of each sprint test. The secondary meta-analyses combined the results of the sprint performance at 5, 10, and 20 m distance to capture information about the acceleration phase of the sprint tests. Eight studies with 206 athletes (female n=10, age range: 18.9-24.2 years) were identified. Sprint performance did not differ significantly comparing OW to the control intervention, nor at the full length (standardized mean difference=-0.07, 95% CI=-0.47 to 0.34, p=0.75, I2=46%) or during the acceleration phase (p≥0.26) of the sprint test. OW training does not improve sprint performance to a greater extent than comparator interventions.

Resistance Training Practices of Brazilian Olympic Sprint and Jump Coaches: Toward a Deeper Understanding of Their Choices and Insights (Part III).

In the final part of this three-article collection on the training strategies of Brazilian Olympic sprint and jump coaches, we provide a detailed description of the resistance training methods and exercises most commonly employed by these speed experts. Always with the objective of maximizing the sprint and jump capabilities of their athletes, these experienced coaches primarily utilize variable, eccentric, concentric, machine-based, isometric, complex, and isoinertial resistance training methods in their daily practices. Squats (in their different forms), Olympic weightlifting, ballistics, hip thrusts, lunges, calf raises, core exercises, leg curls, stiff-leg deadlifts, and leg extension are the most commonly prescribed exercises in their training programs, during both the preparatory and competitive periods. Therefore, the current manuscript comprehensively describes and examines these methods, with the additional aim of extrapolating their application to other sports, especially those where sprint speed is a key performance factor.

Effect of Cross Fit Training During Post Season of Track and Field Athletes

Background: CrossFit is a high-intensity interval training that has gained popularity recently and incorporates avariety of functional activities. CrossFit is a comprehensive program for strength and conditioning. The majorityof the CrossFit workouts are intense strength training sessions. This training method involves quick, repetitivemovements with no rest. CrossFit exercise regimen aims to improve physical proficiency across fitness domains,including strength, flexibility, power, speed, coordination, agility, and balance. Various activities includepowerlifting, Olympic weightlifting, sprinting, rowing, kettlebells and gymnastics.Purpose: The Purpose of the study is to determine the effects of CrossFit training during post season of track andfield athletes.Methods: A total of 40 athletes were selected from Saveetha School Physical education, Chennai. Participants wererandomly allocated into the control and experimental group, participants in the experimental group were trainedfor CrossFit training, and control group participants were asked to continue their exercise training for 6 weeks.Results: The effectiveness was evaluated by using paired t-test. The post-test values of the experimental andcontrol group medicine ball throw was 11.380 ± 0.657 and 10.205 ± 0.823, the vertical jump test was 71.75 ± 4.77and 66.55 ± 4.29, the vo2 max test was 64.25 ± 4.35 and 56.95 ± 4.19 and 30m dash run test was 3.930 ± 0.256 and4.130 ± 0.138 and P value less than 0.01, respectivelyConclusion: Hereby, it has been that Incorporating CrossFit training into the post-season training protocol can bevery beneficial for track and field competitors.

Physical therapy of rotator cuff injuries of olympic weightlifters

From an injury-rate standpoint, Olympic weightlifting is a relatively safe sport. Despite that, a large number of repetitions, the ballistic nature of the lifts and the high forces sustained by the shoulder joint during their execution can lead to shoulder injuries, specifically rotator cuff injuries. The purpose of this paper was to investigate the scientifically proven physiotherapy methods and what their indications are when dealing with rotator cuff injuries of Olympic weightlifters. A qualitative literature review method was used, and the following online databases were included: PubMed, Scopus, Wiley, and PEDro in ResearchGate. The keywords in the literature search were: rotator cuff, shoulder, injury, physiotherapy, sport, weightlifting and Olympic weightlifting. The final analysis included fully published and accessible research papers in English from 2012 onwards, focusing on the physiotherapy of rotator cuff injuries. In total, 16 research papers were included in the final review. Management of rotator cuff injuries is a complex process, especially in sports with overhead movements. We found that the success and effectiveness of the physiotherapy process can be improved through a proper combination of kinesiotherapy, physical agent modalities, manual methods and other forms of therapy. The choice of the specific methods and their duration depends on the pathology of the individual injury. Further research focusing on Olympic weightlifting is needed to create precise and conclusive guidelines for rehabilitation, especially for sport specific phases occurring later in the rehabilitation process.

Rapid Weight Loss Practices Within Olympic Weightlifters.

Gee, TI, Campbell, P, Bargh, MJ, and Martin, D. Rapid weight loss practices within Olympic weightlifters. J Strength Cond Res 37(10): 2046-2051, 2023-Rapid weight loss (RWL) practices are common among athletes to "make weight" for a chosen bodyweight class. This study's purpose was to investigate RWL prevalence, magnitude, and methods within Olympic weightlifters from Great Britain. Subjects (n = 39, male = 22, female = 17) were recruited from International Weightlifting Federation lifting populations (mandatory two-hour competition weigh-in). Subjects were categorized into competitive groups based on Sinclair coefficient total (high, mid, low) and also gender (male, female). The validated Rapid Weight Loss Questionnaire was used to establish RWL magnitude and practices. Of respondents, 33 of 39 (84.6%) had purposely acutely reduced body mass to compete, a higher proportion present within females (94.1%) than males (77.3%). The cohort's mean habitual precompetition acute body mass loss was 3.8 ± 1.7% and the "rapid weight loss score" (RWLS) was 23.6 ± 9.5. Across competitive groups there were no significant differences in habitual or highest precompetition body mass loss, postcompetition body mass gain or RWLS (p > 0.05). However, females attributed a significantly greater "highest" relative precompetition body mass loss compared with males (7.4 vs 4.9%, p = 0.045). For RWL methods used, frequencies of "always" and "sometimes" were reported highest for "restricting fluid ingestion" (81.8%), "gradual dieting" (81.8%), and "water loading" (54.5%). The prevalence of RWL is high among competitive Olympic weightlifters, and especially within the sampled female athletes. Magnitude of RWL was similar across different standards of athlete; however, female lifters demonstrated a higher maximum precompetition RWL.

Muskuloskeletal Injuries in CrossFit Practitioners: An Integrative Review

In recent years, high-intensity training methods like CrossFit® have gained popularity in Brazil's fitness scene. However, these exercises, if done improperly, can lead to musculoskeletal injuries, particularly in the shoulder. This study examines shoulder injuries among CrossFit® enthusiasts through an integrative review. Using databases like Scielo, Lilacs, Medline, PubMed, and Google Scholar, research from August 2021 to June 2022 was reviewed using keywords like Shoulder joint, High-Intensity Interval Training, and Injuries. Articles in Portuguese from the past five years were included, excluding duplicates and those unrelated to the research theme. After applying these criteria, 10 articles were suitable for the review. Findings showed that among CrossFit® practitioners, the shoulder was more prone to injuries than other areas like the lumbar spine, wrist, or knee. The review identified that overloading the shoulder due to intense exercises, especially Olympic weightlifting, and gymnastics, was the primary cause of these injuries.

Effects of 4-week Olympic weightlifting training on speed and power performance in recreational athletes

Olympic weightlifting (OW) is sport with high strength and power demands where athletes need to explosively lift heavy weights. It is consisted of barbell lifting snatch and clean and jerk disciplines. In the strength and conditioning training, OW techniques are often used as a method for speed and power development. The aim of this study was to determine effects of 4-week OW training intervention on speed, agility and power performance among young recreational athletes. The sample of participants consisted of 12 Kinesiology students (average 23 years old). They attended the Olympic Weightlifting course. The training intervention lasted 4 weeks and with 3 training sessions per week in which participants practiced OW training based on learning OW techniques and auxiliary lifts execution. Before and after the intervention, measurement was conducted and included power, speed and agility tests. Squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ) and drop jump (DJ) were used to estimated lower body power and medicine ball throw (MBT) for upper body power. Sprinting on 5 meters (S5) and 15 meters (S15) were conducted as power and speed tests, while 20 yards test (20Y) measured nonreactive agility performance. All variables were descriptively analysed and T-test for dependent samples was used to determine possible effects of training intervention. Results showed improvement in jumping capacities, with statistically significant difference noted only for CMJ (p>0.01). Upper body power and agility performance did not show any significant changes, while a decline in sprinting performance was found for both S5 (p>0.01) and S15 (p>0.01). While the results in jumping variables are expected and in accordance with current scientific knowledge, the results in sprint tests are somewhat confusing. Possible explanation for this can be found in the fact that the participants worked for four weeks the tasks that biomechanically are not similar to the structure of sprinting movement. This could suggest that athletes who want to improve their explosive speed capacities should include specific sprint stimuli in their training program in addition to OW training program. In the future, more variables and longer treatment duration need to be applied.

Virtual Reality for Action Observation Does Not Enhance Motor Learning of a Complex Weightlifting Task

Action observation, where a learner observes a model demonstrating a skill, has long been established in the literature as an effective means to acquire motor skills. Developments in virtual reality technology have made it possible for a 3D action observation viewing perspective, theoretically providing a viewing experience similar to observing a live performer. However, very little work has compared these two media and their effects on motor learning outcomes. In this current study, healthy novice participants to Olympic lifting (specifically the clean and jerk; n = 36) learned the exercise through observing a model demonstration in virtual reality (3D group) or on a computer screen (2D group). A third group (control) did not engage in action observation. Results indicate that following training, the 2D group more frequently used a three-step lifting pattern, and the 2D and 3D groups lifted with a significantly greater horizontal displacement compared with the control group. Also, the 2D group was more likely to use a proximal-to-distal joint coordination strategy during the second pull of the exercise. These results further the idea that only small parts of pertinent visual information are needed for action observation, and that virtual reality may provide too much information to novice learners.

A Theoretical Training Plan and Facility for Ontario-Based Olympic Weightlifters

Olympic Weightlifting is a sport where athletes of different weight classes utilize either the Snatch or Clean and Jerk (CJ) technique to lift the heaviest load overhead. This case study describes the training program for a team of Senior (age; 18-35 years) Olympic weightlifters during a normal competitive season. The team of Olympic weightlifters will be participating in team training 3 to 4 times a week; however, variations will occur on the training schedule for each individual athlete based on the on-going testing results. Each athlete will also participate in an additional day of training noted as the “active rest” day which prioritizes injury management for the individual based on their test results, during the training season. In conclusion, the training program in this study provided an insight on implementing velocity profiling into an Olympic weightlifting training program. The device in this study (PUSH Band) quantifies the bar movement via the force velocity curve and the coach has a clearer means in which to determine the repetitions that follow. This study is based around the theoretical idea of implementing a means in which to avoid the traditional periodization rep schema to administer training volume, but rather utilize new technologies. To conclude, methods that accommodate for velocity profiles to determine volume in conjunction with 1RM percentages and a coach’s discretion may allow for more efficient training and a reduction in excess fatigue.

Effect of 6-week combined training on salivary cortisol levels, total Olympic lifting performance and anxiety levels in elite male Olympic weightlifters

Effect of 6-week combined training on salivary cortisol levels, total Olympic lifting performance and anxiety levels in elite male Olympic weightlifters