Previous research has identified strength as a key factor for performance in cross-country skiing. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between upper body strength and performance in swedish junior cross-country skiers. 33 swedish young men and 23 young women age 17,3 ± 1,0 years volunteered to participate in specific tests during a summer training camp were they completed a test battery consisting of bench press and bench pull. The strength variables obtained were correlated with FIS-points (International Ski Federation´s ranking points for distance and sprint performance) used as the performance indicator. Correlations were performed by Spearman´s rank correlation coefficient for all variables. The results showed that FIS-points for sprint correlated significantly with both bench press and bench pull. No significant correlation was found between FIS-points for distance and bench pull. These results may predict performance for cross-country skiers and indicate a justification for increased proportion of strength training.

In my thesis I'll focus on one of three disciplines in powerlifting. Specifically bench press. Aim of this thesis is confirmation of Smolov jr. training plan. Which is different from other training plans thanks to it's short term. Lasting only three weeks. Despite that I was able to find multiple articles, in which the author describes his own experience, introduces reader with the training plan and reports progress up to 10 Kg in the discipline. The research will be conducted by direct testing of the plan on a group of probands, including me. The resoult of which will be comparing of input and output values - like bodyweight, chest and arms circumference and of course maximal bench press performance per one repetition. The thesis will also include important information about bench-press as a sport, informations about diet, food supplements, regeneration and anatomy. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)