Evaluating anti-doping measures is essential to optimise their effectiveness. Comparing sporting results that have a higher doping prevalence, such as weightlifting, before and after the ...implementation of anti-doping measures may serve as an effectiveness indicator.
The results of the most successful weightlifters of both sexes in two time periods, 2009-2015 and 2016-2022 were analysed. The Sinclair Total (ST) to compare the relative strength of weightlifters from different weight categories was calculated.
A significant decrease in the ST during 2016-2022 (p < 0.001) in athletes of all ages and both sexes overall was reported. When analysed by age, there was a decrease in ST in juniors and seniors of both sexes (p = 0.010 and p < 0.001, respectively), but not in youth. There was a decrease in the ST in senior men (p < 0.001), junior women (p < 0.001) and senior women (p < 0.001).
In elite weightlifting, adult athletic results declined during 2016-2022, which may partly be explained by the implementation of new methods to detect long-term anabolic androgenic steroid metabolites as well as other policies. This may highlight the effectiveness of these methods both in the prevention and detection of anti-doping rule violations.
Marianne Huebner, David E. Meltzer and Aris Perperoglou explain how statistics can be used to compare weightlifting performances between athletes of different ages and weight categories, and how the ...increase in female weightlifters has led to more data and more appropriate comparisons
Marianne Huebner, David E. Meltzer and Aris Perperoglou explain how statistics can be used to compare weightlifting performances between athletes of different ages and weight categories, and how the increase in female weightlifters has led to more data and more appropriate comparisons.
The purpose of this study was to analyse the validity and reliability of a novel iPhone app (named: PowerLift) for the measurement of mean velocity on the bench-press exercise. Additionally, the ...accuracy of the estimation of the 1-Repetition maximum (1RM) using the load-velocity relationship was tested. To do this, 10 powerlifters (Mean (SD): age = 26.5 ± 6.5 years; bench press 1RM · kg
−1
= 1.34 ± 0.25) completed an incremental test on the bench-press exercise with 5 different loads (75-100% 1RM), while the mean velocity of the barbell was registered using a linear transducer (LT) and Powerlift. Results showed a very high correlation between the LT and the app (r = 0.94, SEE = 0.028 m · s
−1
) for the measurement of mean velocity. Bland-Altman plots (R
2
= 0.011) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC = 0.965) revealed a very high agreement between both devices. A systematic bias by which the app registered slightly higher values than the LT (P < 0.05; mean difference (SD) between instruments = 0.008 ± 0.03 m · s
−1
). Finally, actual and estimated 1RM using the app were highly correlated (r = 0.98, mean difference (SD) = 5.5 ± 9.6 kg, P < 0.05). The app was found to be highly valid and reliable in comparison with a LT. These findings could have valuable practical applications for strength and conditioning coaches who wish to measure barbell velocity in the bench-press exercise.
This research assessed the influence of various heel elevation conditions on spinal kinematic and kinetic data during loaded (25% and 50% of body weight) high-bar back squats. Ten novice (mass ...67.6 ± 12.4 kg, height 1.73 ± 0.10 m) and ten regular weight trainers (mass 66.0 ± 10.7 kg, height 1.71 ± 0.09 m) completed eight repetitions at each load wearing conventional training shoes standing on the flat level floor (LF) and on an inclined board (EH). The regular weight training group performed an additional eight repetitions wearing weightlifting shoes (WS). Statistical parametric mapping (SPM1D) and repeated measures analysis of variance were used to assess differences in spinal curvature and kinetics across the shoe/floor conditions and loads. SPM1D analyses indicated that during the LF condition the novice weight trainers had greater moments around L4/L5 than the regular weight trainers during the last 20% of the lift (P < 0.05), with this difference becoming non-significant during the EH condition. This study indicates that from a perspective of spinal safety, it appears advantageous for novice weight trainers to perform back squats with their heels slightly elevated, while regular weight trainers appear to realize only limited benefits performing back squats with either EH or WS.
Background/Purpose: When grasping an object within the natural boundary formed by an individual's maximum arm extension, a majority of individuals grip with an awkward and uncomfortable starting ...position to end the movement in a more comfortable state, known as the end-state comfort effect (ESCE).
This review article examines previous weightlifting literature and provides a rationale for the use of weightlifting pulling derivatives that eliminate the catch phase for athletes who are not ...competitive weightlifters. Practitioners should emphasize the completion of the triple extension movement during the second pull phase that is characteristic of weightlifting movements as this is likely to have the greatest transference to athletic performance that is dependent on hip, knee, and ankle extension. The clean pull, snatch pull, hang high pull, jump shrug, and mid-thigh pull are weightlifting pulling derivatives that can be used in the teaching progression of the full weightlifting movements and are thus less complex with regard to exercise technique. Previous literature suggests that the clean pull, snatch pull, hang high pull, jump shrug, and mid-thigh pull may provide a training stimulus that is as good as, if not better than, weightlifting movements that include the catch phase. Weightlifting pulling derivatives can be implemented throughout the training year, but an emphasis and de-emphasis should be used in order to meet the goals of particular training phases. When implementing weightlifting pulling derivatives, athletes must make a maximum effort, understand that pulling derivatives can be used for both technique work and building strength-power characteristics, and be coached with proper exercise technique. Future research should consider examining the effect of various loads on kinetic and kinematic characteristics of weightlifting pulling derivatives, training with full weightlifting movements as compared to training with weightlifting pulling derivatives, and how kinetic and kinematic variables vary between derivatives of the snatch.
Physical activity is known to have a positive relationship with an individual's mental health and well-being. However, there is not enough data on how different types of physical activity ...participation relate to mental health. The study aims to examine the relationship between different types of physical activities on mental health status among U.S. adults.
This study used a secondary data analysis of 316,959 participants from the 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey. Seventy-four different activities were identified and categorized into eight distinct activity types. Proportional odds logistic regression was utilized to calculate crude and adjusted odds ratios between physical activity type and mental health status.
Overall, walking (38.9%) was the most commonly reported physical activity type. Compared to no physical activity, the crude and adjusted odds of experiencing mental health problems were significantly lower for all physical activity types, with adjusted odds ratios from 0.65 to 0.85. Running, sports, and weightlifting had the strongest relationships to better mental health while household tasks had the weakest, though when adjusting for multiple testing there were no significant differences in mental health between different types of physical activity.
Individuals participating in any physical activity have lower odds of experiencing mental health problems during the previous 30 days compared to inactive individuals. Knowing what type of specific physical activity adults commonly participate in and understanding their relationships with mental health can help in physical activity promotion and strategies.
Zecchin, A, Puggina, EF, Hortobágyi, T, and Granacher, U. Association between foundation strength and weightlifting exercises in highly trained weightlifters: support for a general strength ...component. J Strength Cond Res 37(7): 1375-1381, 2023-In addition to specific weightlifting exercises (i.e., clean and jerk and snatch), foundation strength exercises (i.e., overhead press, front squat, and deadlift) constitute an integral part of the weightlifters' training regime. The unexamined concept behind this training plan is that foundation strength exercises are associated with clean and jerk and snatch performance, implying the existence of a general strength component. We thus determined the relationship between performance in foundation strength exercises (overhead press, front squat, and deadlift) and weightlifting exercises (clean and jerk and snatch) in weightlifters. Well-trained weightlifters ( N = 19, age: 26.8 ± 4.4 years; body mass index: 27.6 ± 2.3 kg·m -2 ; and training history: 4.6 ± 0.8 years) performed 1 repetition maximum tests (1RM) in foundation strength and weightlifting exercises, over 14 days, in a randomized order. We observed significant correlations in 1RM performance between the overhead press and snatch ( r = 0.69), front squat and snatch ( r = 0.73), overhead press and clean and jerk ( r = 0.67), and front squat and clean and jerk ( r = 0.72, all r values: p < 0.01). No significant correlations were found for 1RM performance between the snatch and deadlift or between the clean and jerk and deadlift ( r- range: 0.20-0.58; p > 0.05). Stepwise linear regression revealed that 1RM performance in the overhead press and front squat explained 62% of the variance in snatch 1RM performance ( F = 5.51; p < 0.04). Overhead press and front squat 1RM performance explained 59% of the variance in the clean and jerk 1RM performance ( F = 5.14; p < 0.04). Our results demonstrate the existence of a general strength component between selected foundation strength exercises and weightlifting performance. However, the use of the front squat and overhead press to increase 1RM performance in weightlifting exercises needs to be determined in future research using a different methodological approach (i.e., longitudinal protocols), given that the observed correlations do not necessarily imply causation.
PDF
