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The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 2013 October;53(5):573-81

Copyright © 2013 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Relationships of isometric mid-thigh pull variables to weightlifting performance

Beckham G. ¹, Mizuguchi S. ¹, Carter C. ¹, Sato K. ¹, Ramsey M. ¹, Lamont H. ¹, Hornsby G. ¹, Haff G. ², Stone M. ^{1, 2} ✉

¹ Department of Exercise and Sports Science, Center of Excellence For Sport Science and Coach Education, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, USA; ² Exercise and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia

Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between weightlifting performance (snatch, clean and jerk, and total) and variables obtained from the isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP).
Methods: Twelve weightlifters, ranging from novice to advanced, performed the IMTP 10 days after a competition. Correlations were used to evaluate relationships between variables of the IMTP and absolute and scaled competition results.
Results: Unscaled competition results correlated strongly with IRFD (0-200ms: r=0.567-0.645, 0-250ms: r=0.722-0.781) while results correlated weakly with Peak IRFD (5ms window, r=0.360-0.426). Absolute peak force values correlated very strongly with absolute values for the competition performance (r=0.830-0.838). Force at 100ms, 150ms, 200ms and 250ms also correlated strongly with competition results (r=0.643-0.647, r=0.605-0.636, r=0.714-0.732, r=0.801-0.804). Similar findings were noted for allometrically scaled values.
Conclusion: Measures of average IRFD probably represent a more relevant variable to dynamic performance than does Peak IRFD (5ms). Maximum isometric strength also is likely to have a strong role in weightlifting performance.