PURPOSE: To examine the influence of three distinct training phases on isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) measures in well-trained weightlifters. METHODS: Pre- and post-block IMTP data from 11 collegiate weightlifters was used for analysis. The mean of the best two attempts from each athlete for measures of PF and RFD from 0-50ms, 0-100ms, 0-150ms, 0-200ms, and 0-250ms were used for comparison. In total, results from five timepoints for each of the 11 athletes were examined in order to compare the effects of the three training phases. RESULTS: A repeated measures ANOVA revealed no statistically significant (p ≥ 0.05) effects of training on any of the variables measured. When comparing post block values from each phase to pre-training cycle values, the largest increase in RFD200 (d = 0.22) and RFD250 (d=0.22) occurred post strength-power (SP) phase, while the peak in RFD50 (d = 0.32), RFD100 (d = 0.31), and RFD150 (d = 0.22) occurred after the peak/taper (PT) phase. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of the study, it is possible that changes in IMTP RFD may reflect the expected adaptations of block periodization. Rather than examining RFD changes at only one time-band, it may be valuable to monitor RFD across multiple time bands as changes in early and late RFD may not occur proportionally during a peak/taper phase.

Considerable controversy and misguided information has surrounded the inclusion of weightlifting within youth-based strength and conditioning programs to develop strength, power, and speed. This article reviews the evidence to support its inclusion as a safe and effective means to enhance athletic potential. Guidelines are presented to provide coaches with a structured and logical progression model, which is associated with the theoretical concepts underpinning long-term athletic development. It is hoped that this review will serve as a useful tool to help strength and conditioning coaches integrate weightlifting exercises within training programs of young athletes in a safe and effective manner.

The purpose of this study was to compare core muscle activity during resistance exercises performed on stable ground versus an unstable surface and to examine whether lifting at different relative intensities affects core muscle activity levels. Twelve trained men performed four different movements including the deadlift, back squat, military press, and curl. Surface electromyography (EMG) was utilized to assess the activity of the rectus abdominis, external oblique, transversus abdominis, and erector spinae muscles. Participants performed each movement under three separate conditions including standing on stable ground with 50% of their one repetition maximum (1-RM), standing on a BOSU balance trainer with 50% of their 1-RM and, standing on stable ground with 75% of their 1-RM. The following muscles exhibited greater activity during the 75% 1-RM condition than all other conditions: the transversus abdominis (TA) and external oblique (EO) muscles during the deadlift; the rectus abdominis (RA) during the squat; the TA, RA, and EO during the press, and TA and erector spinae (ES) during the curl. The ES muscle during the press movement and EO during the squat movement were more active during the BOSU 50% 1-RM condition than the stable 50% 1-RM condition. Healthy individuals might consider performing the military press, curl, squat and deadlift movements with higher intensity resistances while standing on stable ground to incur higher widespread muscle activity of the core region.

The purpose of this study was to determine the differences in kinetic, kinematic, and metabolic variables between an acute normal dead stop squat (NDS) protocol and an acute accentuated eccentric loaded squat (AEL) protocol. Eight collegiate weightlifters were performed the 2 squat protocols. Eccentric and concentric kinetic and kinematic data were collected via synchronized force plate and linear position transducer. Metabolic parameters assessed were oxygen consumption (VO2 ) using open circuit spirometry, testosterone (T) and cortisol (C) via blood draw from antecubital vein, and lactate (La) values via finger prick blood draw. The following are major findings of the dissertation. No statistical differences were observed for concentric variables between AEL and NDS work sets or between warm-up at 55% (WUP55) and postset at 55% (POST55) sets. Differences were found in the speed and duration of the eccentric portion of the lifts. Results indicate that there are no meaningful biomechanical differences when performing AEL squats in this manner and that the intensity and volume executed did not result in PAP. Oxygen uptake was statistically different during sets with the additional eccentric load (set 4, 5, 6, 7) and the subsequent down set (set 9). Lactate was greater during AEL squatting than NDS after set 7 and set 8 for the whole group. T exhibited no statistically significant changes. C was greater immediately following the AEL protocol compared to NDS 30 minutes post-AEL squat protocol yielded a statistically significant difference from immediately post and a return to near baseline measures. These acute changes may have meaningful effects on long- term gains in hypertrophy and strength. The findings of this dissertation show the potential benefits of AEL dead-stop squats for long-term hypertrophy and strength development. However, because this dissertation was the first to explore dead-stop squats with an additional eccentric load, further research is required on both the potential benefits of dead-stop squats and typical squats with no dead-stop using an AEL protocol.

The purpose of this thesis was to observe psychological, physiological, and performance changes to determine when two high-level weightlifters were peaked for a major competition. We addressed this purpose by conducting a two-part case study series with one USA international level female and one USA national level male weightlifter. Both athletes were considered to be peaked on competition day. The results support our hypothesis that jumping performance would be peaked on competition day corresponding with an increased recovery and decreased stress state. However, contrary to our hypothesis, each athlete exhibited small decreases in muscle size leading into the competition relative to baseline values. Further, changes in inflammatory markers were inconsistent for each athlete and were not reduced as hypothesized. Based on our findings, this investigation supports the use of overreaching and tapering for individual strength-power athletes providing insight into underlying psychological and physiological basis for observed changes in performance.

The overall purpose of this thesis was to validate the SRSS questionnaire. This was accomplished by conducting a single investigation using eleven well-trained weightlifters with at least one year of competition experience. These weightlifters completed five testing sessions over the course of five microcycles leading up to a competition. Every testing session took place on Monday morning prior to regular training and included: hydration testing, SRSS questionnaire, blood draws followed by a standardized warm-up protocol and squat jumps (SJ) with 0kg and 20kg. While the majority of SRSS recovery and stress items did not change with changes in VL or VLd, emotional balance and lack of activation did correlate with changes in VLd. Additionally, decreases in SRSS recovery items physical performance capability and emotional balance coincide with decreases in squat jump height and increases in cortisol following the first taper microcycle. The findings of this investigation partly support the SRSS as a monitoring tool for weightlifters.

No description available.

This investigation aimed to employ novel analyses to longitudinal jump testing data gathered from competitive weightlifters to identify how certain biomechanical and performance characteristics obtained from the countermovement jump (CMJ) relate to changes in weightlifting performance over time and if they can differentiate higher and lower performers. A linear mixed-effect model was used to assess and compare the ability of countermovement jump height and net-impulse to predict Sinclair weightlifting total. CMJ force-time waveforms were compared in cross-sectional and repeated measures analyses to distinguish the force application patterns of higher-performing weightlifters and if they change over extended periods of training. It was found that both jump height and net impulse were significant predictors of Sinclair weightlifting total; however, likely due to changes in body mass within individuals over time, net impulse was a better predictor. The primary differentiator between higher and lower-performing weightlifters within the countermovement jump was the magnitude of force produced during the propulsive phase. No changes to the athlete’s force-time waveforms were observed across three testing sessions separated each by a year. Over the three testing sessions, no significant change in jump height was found; however, net impulse increased over time. The findings of this dissertation demonstrate that countermovement jump net impulse is a beneficial metric to monitor in competitive weightlifters as it demonstrated the capacity to predict changes in weightlifting performance, differentiated levels of performers, and changes over extended periods of training.

Huvudsyftet med föreliggande studie var att undersöka på vilket sätt coacher inom tyngdlyftning, styrkelyft, Crossfit och kroppsbyggning implementerar preventiva strategier designade för att förebygga skador genom inverkan på psykologiska riskfaktorer. Vidare var det av intresse att undersöka vilka personlighetsdrag hos en idrottare som coacher upplevde ökade risken för skador. Ett ytterligare syfte var att studera coachernas erfarenheter av relationen mellan idrottares stressnivå och skaderisk. Totalt genomfördes nio semistrukturerade intervjuer med coacher på distrikt till internationell nivå lokaliserade i Sverige. Samtliga coacher hade tidigare erfarenhet med skadade idrottare. Resultatet sammanställdes genom en deduktiv innehållsanalys. Under intervjuerna identifierades flera interventionsstrategier som kunde relateras till Williams och Andersens (1998) stress­skademodell. Det framgick att coacherna i studien fokuserar mycket på fysiologiska och stressrelaterade aspekter och inte personlighetsdrag när de implementerar interventioner för att förebygga skador. Implikationer för skadeförebyggande träning samt förslag på framtida forskning ges.

The purpose of this investigation was to study the effects of an 11-week training period performed by female weightlifters. Two weeks before this investigation, baseline measures for total testosterone, cortisol, and testosterone:cortisol ratio were collected. The 11-week training program consisted of the core exercises (i.e., clean, clean and jerk, and snatch) and other supplemental exercises (i.e., clean pull, snatch pull, squat, and front squat). Hormonal, isometric, and dynamic middle thigh pull force-time curve characteristics were assessed biweekly throughout the duration of the investigation, whereas volume load and training intensity were assessed weekly throughout the investigation. The testosterone:cortisol ratio of the baseline (1.19 ± 0.64) was significantly different from the ratio of weeks 1 (0.67 ± 0.36) and 9 (0.94 ± 0.66). When the week-to-week values were compared, week 1 (0.67 ± 0.36) was significantly different (P < 0.05; ηsup>2= 0.84) from week 3 (1.06 ± 0.54). A very strong correlation (r = −0.83; r 2 = 0.69) was found between the percentage change of the testosterone:cortisol ratio and volume load from weeks 1 to 11. Moderate to very strong correlations were noted between the percentage change in volume load and isometric peak force, peak force during the 30% isometric peak force trial, and peak force during the 100-kg trial during the 11 weeks of training. The primary finding of this study was that alterations in training volume load can result in concomitant changes in the anabolic-to-catabolic balance, as indicated by the testosterone:cortisol ratio, and the ability to generate maximal forces.