Physiological performance has been commonly scaled for body size using various methods to scale anthropometrics, but a paucity of data exists on scaling muscle size. The aim of this thesis was to elucidate the optimal method to scale height (HT), body mass (BM), lean body mass (LBM), and muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) when scaling weightlifting performance for body size. 26 weightlifters (13 male, 13 female) participated in this study. The measurements collected were the snatch (SN), clean and jerk (CJ), isometric peak force (IPF), and countermovement jump height (CMJH). HT, LBM, BM, and vastus lateralis CSA were scaled using the ratio standard and allometry. Competition performance scaled for allometrically scaled CSA possessed greater relationships to CMJH (r = 0.60 – 0.78) than the ratio standard (r = 0.56 – 0.58). These findings suggest that allometrically scaling CSA may be superior when scaling weightlifting performance for CSA.

This study was designed to provide an overview of weightlifting performance as a function of age group and sex and evaluate the potential of countermovement jump height (CMJH) as a tool to gauge performance potential. Data from 130 youth athletes (female, n = 65 & male, n = 65) were used to examine progression of performance (Total and Sinclair total) and the relationship between CMJH and Sinclair total while considering interactions between CMJH and age and/or sex. ANOVAs with post hoc analyses revealed that both totals had a statistical first-order polynomial interaction effect between age group and sex and the difference between age groups of 12–13 and 14–15 years old was statistically greater for male than female. A linear model, developed to examine the relationship, revealed that CMJH and CMJH x sex x age rejected the null hypothesis. Our primary findings are that male youth weightlifters have a higher rate of performance progression, possibly owing to puberty, and CMJH may be a better gauging tool for older male youth weightlifters.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of various loads on the force-time characteristics associated with peak power during the hang high pull (HHP). Fourteen athletic men (age: 21.6 ± 1.3 years; height: 179.3 ± 5.6 cm; body mass: 81.5 ± 8.7 kg; 1 repetition maximum [1RM] hang power clean [HPC]: 104.9 ± 15.1 kg) performed sets of the HHP at 30, 45, 65, and 80% of their 1RM HPC. Peak force, peak velocity, peak power, force at peak power, and velocity at peak power were compared between loads. Statistical differences in peak force (p 0.001), peak velocity (p < 0.001), peak power (p 0.015), force at peak power (p < 0.001), and velocity at peak power (p < 0.001) existed, with the greatest values for each variable occurring at 80, 30, 45, 80, and 30% 1RM HPC, respectively. Effect sizes between loads indicated that larger differences in velocity at peak power existed as compared with those displayed by force at peak power. It seems that differences in velocity may contribute to a greater extent to differences in peak power production as compared with force during the HHP. Further investigation of both force and velocity at peak power during weightlifting variations is necessary to provide insight on the contributing factors of power production. Specific load ranges should be prescribed to optimally train the variables associated with power development during the HHP.

The current manuscript is a translation of the Position statement on youth resistance training: the 2014 International Consensus. The original manuscript was adapted from the oficial position statement of the UK Strength and Conditioning Association on youth resistance training. It was subsequently reviewed and endorsed by leading professional organisations within the fields of sports medicine, exercise science and paediatrics. The authorship team for this article was selected from the fields of paediatric exercise science, paediatric medicine, physical education, strength and conditioning and sports medicine.

This is the first part of a 2-part discussion on weightlifting and will describe the historical and scientific background of the sport.

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Purpose: The purpose of this training, monitoring study was to investigate how alterations in training variables affect changes among underlying mechanisms of performance and weightlifting performance and whether certain variables are better suited for monitoring the training process than others. Additionally, the importance of including barbell displacement in volume load (VL) calculations was investigated. Subjects: Seven (4 males, 3 females) competitive weightlifters participated in the study dealing with alterations of underlying mechanisms and performance while 8 weightlifters (5 males, 3 females) participated in the investigation of exercise displacement. Methods: The weightlifters participated in a 20-week periodized resistance training plan. Measurements of maximal strength and explosive strength from the isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) and static jumps (SJ) with 0kg, 11kg, and 20kg were taken toward the end of each training block (weeks 1, 6, 10, 13, 17, and 20). Weightlifting performance was measured at weeks 0, 7, 11, and 20. The detailed monitoring of VL consisted of recording the load, rep count, and with and without displacement for every set for 20 weeks. Results: Very strong correlations were displayed between weightlifting performances and isometric rate of force development (RFD), isometric peak force (PF), and peak power (PP) at 0kg, 11kg, and 20kg. During periods of higher volume loads RFD was depressed to a much greater extent than peak force (PF). For the males, similar to RFD, JH at 20kg responded in a manner fitting an expected fatigue response compared to JH at 0kg and 11kg. VL correlated very strongly to VL with displacement; however, statistically significant differences existed for percent change (4 of the 7 time periods measured) Conclusions: PF is more resistant to volume alterations than RFD and JH at 20kg. Thus RFD and JH at 20kg appear to be superior monitoring metrics. The testing period in which preparedness was the highest happened in concert with a taper. Based on correlations, PF, RFD, and PP are variables on which coaches should focus for enhancing performance. A strong relationship exists between VL and VL with displacement; however, changes from one period to the next are not always the same.

The purpose of this thesis investigation was to evaluate the effectiveness of dynamic strength training as an additional mode of exercise rehabilitation, in patients with coronary artery disease and well documented evidence of a previous myocardial infarction. The effects of 10 weeks (20 sessions) of combined weightlifting and aerobic training (WtAer) (n=10) were compared with aerobic training (Aer) (n=8) alone, on indices of strength and aerobic exercise capacity in 18 male patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Initial test(s) performance was similar between groups. Post Aer, the maximum weightlifting strength (1RM) in single-arm curl, single-leg press, and single-knee extension exercises increased by 13% (x = 11.8 to 13.3 kg; P < 0.01), 4% (x = 97 to 101 kg; N.S.), and 5% (x = 28.2 to 29.7 kg; N.S.) respectively; corresponding gains with AerWt were 43% (x = 12.2 to 17.4 kg; P < 0.01), 21% (x = 99 to 120 kg; P <0.01) , and 24% (x = 29 to 36 kg; P < 0.01) . Following Aer the initial 1RM could be lifted an average of 4 times, compared to 14 times after AerWt. Neither Aer nor AerWt showed significant improvements in peak torque in either isokinetic single-knee extension at 90°/s and 180°/s or single-leg press exercise at 30°/s and 75°/s. Maximum progressive incremental cycle ergometer performance (Wmax)increased by 2% with Aer (x = 1088 to 1113 kpm/min; N.S.) and by 15% (x = 1030 to 1180 kpm/min; P < 0.05) with AerWt.Cycling time at 80% of initial Wmax before attaining a Borg RPE of 7 for the legs, increased by 11% (x = 604 to 672s; N.S.) and by 109% (x = 541 to 1128s; P < 0.05) with Aer and AerWt respectively. In these patients with CAD, AerWt was a more effective method of increasing aerobic performance and strength than Aer alone. In order for cardiac exercise rehabilitation therapy to optimize the strength and functional capacities of CAD patients it may be useful to incorporate appropriately monitored weightlifting training into the traditional aerobic exercise regimen. / Thesis / Master of Science (MS)

The overall purpose of this dissertation was to assess the Weightlifting team’s athlete and coach perception of the athlete monitoring program at East Tennessee State University over the course of a mesocycle. This was accomplished by conducting a single investigation using eleven well-trained weightlifters and three coaches. Five data collections were carried out over the course of a single mesocycle leading up to a competition. No statistically significant perceptual changes throughout the training program were observed among any questions for weightlifters or coaches. Interpretation of the means for each question indicate that both weightlifters’ and coaches’ perceptions of the SPEC program’s ability to influence the components assessed by the questionnaire were positive ranging from no different to much better. Participants agree that they do understand why they take part in both SPEC testing and monitoring, and coaches indicated that data from testing and monitoring is used to develop and alter their athletes training. Results further indicate regular communication between coaches and their athletes about the purpose of their programming.

<p> This study investigated the circulatory response to double-arm weightlifting exercise and compared the responses during free weight and machine equipment weightlifting in eight patients (mean age = 57.6±10 years) with well-documented coronary artery disease. Subjects performed bench press and overhead press exercises at 40 and 60% of 1 repetition maximum using both the free weights and machine equipment. Intra-arterial pressure was measured in the subclavian artery using a Millar catheter-tip pressure transducer. Arterial pressures rose in parallel with both modes of lifting (free weight and machine equipment), while heart rate did not increase substantially. Mean peak systolic (169 to 197 mmHg) and diastolic (95 to 119 mmHg) pressures recorded during the final repetitions of each weightlifting set did not, however, exceed values considered to be acceptable for dynamic exercise. Individual subjects recorded diastolic pressures as high as 150 mmHg during one or more of the weightlifting exercises, and individual mean arterial pressures reached values as high as 181 mmHg during overhead press machine equipment exercise at 60% of 1RM. While these high arterial pressures associated with weightlifting exercise increased myocardial oxygen demand (RPP=9643 to 15290), the increase in diastolic pressure may have augmented oxygen supply (DPTI=3448 to 3926 mmHg.s.min-1). However, because of the proportionately larger increase in RPP compared to DPTI, the ratio of oxygen supply to demand decreased with arm weightlifting exercise (DPTI:RPP=0.3741 to 0.2629). Nevertheless, the estimated myocardial oxygen supply to demand relationship appears to be more favourable during double-arm weightlifting exercise compared to estimated values from previous maximal cycle ergometer testing. These results suggest that double-arm weightlifting exercise at 40 to 60% of 1RM is safe and appropriate for patients with coronary artery disease and can be performed using either free weights or machine weightlifting equipment.</p> / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)