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The purpose of this study was to determine how different set configurations (constant and varying intensity) during training affect the velocity of the barbell during the clean lift. Methods: 15 Olympic weightlifters from Truman State University (9 men, 6 women) performed a clean workout consisting of 6 sets of single repetitions in both the constant (C) and varying (V) set configurations. In the C, 6 sets of single repetitions were performed at 85% of the subjects' 1 repetition maximum (1RM) clean and jerk. The V configuration had subjects perform 6 sets of singles at 80, 85, 90, 90, 85, and 80% of maximum clean and jerk. All subjects performed a standardized warm-up before each workout. All data were collected and analyzed with a V-Scope Weightlifting Analysis System. Peak velocity (PV) was analyzed for each repetition and compared between set configurations using repeated measures ANOVA. There was a significant time effect for the velocity (p = .007) and significant interaction effect for time x set configuration (p = .008). Tukey's HSD found no significant differences between velocities at any specific repetition. However, there was a trend towards a faster velocity in the 2nd repetition during C versus the 4th repetition of V. Differences in velocity between repetitions 1 &2 and 5 &6 by configuration showed a trend as well. Conclusion: This study shows that there are trends toward differences in velocities between the constant and varying set configurations during the clean lift. Practical Application: Varying load across the sets may produce greater variation in maximum barbell velocity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The backward overhead medicine ball (BOMB) throw has gained some attention as a simple measure for estimating total body explosive power. However, previous research indicates varying degrees of relationship with standard power measurement. to determine the relationship between a BOMB throw and maximal snatch (S) and clean & jerk (CJ) performances of collegiate weightlifters. 12 collegiate Olympic weightlifters (8 men, 4 women, weight = 75.3 ± 15.4 kg, age = 21 ± 1 y) performed 6 maximal attempts of the BOMB throw with a 3.63 kg medicine ball with 1-min rest between throws. The best throw was recorded for analysis. Three to five days after the throws, the subjects competed in a sanctioned weightlifting meet, and their best lifts in the S and CJ were correlated with BOMB throw. Intraclass correlation coefficient across all 6 trial (ICC = 0.99) indicated a high degree of reliability. There was no significant difference across trials, although the average percent improvement between successive throws did not level off until the 3rd throw (1.2 ± 19.6%). Best BOMB throw was significantly correlated (p < 0.01) with S (r = 0.85) and CJ (r = 0.90). Body mass was significantly correlated with BOMB throw (r = 0.78), S (r = 0.83), and CJ (r = 0.82). The correlation of BOMB throw with Sinclair-adjusted S (r = 0.81) and CJ (r = 0.86) were significant. When body mass were partialed out, the relationship of BOMB throw with S (r = 0.59) and CJ (r = 0.72) decreased but remained significant. When gender was partialed out, the relationship of BOMB throw with S (r = 0.49, p = 0.13) and CJ (r = 0.67, p = 0.03) decreased more for S than for CJ. Partialing out both body mass and gender reduced the correlations of BOMB throw with S (r = 0.04, p = 0.90) and CJ ((r = 0.43, p = 0.21) to nonsignificance. The strong correlations between the BOMB throw and maximal S and CJ performances of collegiate weightlifter maybe dependent on body mass. The BOMB throw distance may be strongly dependant on body mass but may reflect a unique aspect of total body power. Further research is warranted to determine if an adjustment scaling technique is required to facilitate its use on a wide variety of athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ratio between testosterone (T) and cortisol (C) has been proposed as a marker of training status. Specifically, a higher ratio is thought to represent a more favorable hormonal milieu for muscle hypertrophy and strength gain. Purpose: We examined the impact of weightlifting training on the ratio of serum testosterone to cortisol (T:C) as athletes prepared for a competition. We hypothesized that athletes who experienced a greater increase in T:C during the pre-competition taper would tend to perform better. Methods: Eight male weightlifters (body mass = 82.0 ± 10.8 kg, height = 176 ± 9 cm, age = 20 ± 1 y) completed nine weeks of periodized training before competing in a USAW-sanctioned weightlifting meet. Fasting blood samples were obtained from subjects at four time points (weeks 3, 5, 7, and 9) over the training period. The blood samples were analyzed for T and C concentrations using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Training volume significantly decreased (p < 0.001) as athletes approached competition. Training intensity significantly increased (p = 0.01) before tapering for competition. Following training, lifters achieved significant gains in the clean & jerk (p = 0.021) and the total (p = 0.002) but not the snatch (p = 0.296) or the front squat (p = 0.067). The T:C ratio did not significantly change over time (p = 0.416). Changes in T:C from week 7 (high intensity and volume) to week 9 (taper) did not correlate significantly to improvements in competition total (r = -0.22, p = 0.962). No other correlations were found. Conclusion: These data indicate that the T:C ratio is not a sensitive indicator of training status. Practical Applications: Weightlifters can make improvements in performance despite a lack of measurable change in the testosterone:cortisol ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stigma against women engaging in heavy resistance training has all but disappeared. This has opened the way for women to train with programs comparable to those of men. Limited data exist to determine if women make the same gains as men from comparable resistance training programs. To compare the effect of similar resistance training programs on maximal strength and muscle endurance of adolescent men and women. Adolescent men (n = 50, age = 16.9 ± 0.7 yrs) and women (n = 24, age = 16.9 ± 0.9 yrs) were evaluated for 1-RM free-weight bench press (BP) and squat (SQ) before and after training 4X/wkfor8 wk. In addition, each subject performed repetitions-to-fatigue (RTF) using a weight that allowed between 2 and 10 RTF. Both groups utilized a linear periodization program designed to enhance muscle strength. Participants were instructed to perform post-training RTF at the same %1-RM as pre-training RTF. Men had significantly greater absolute and relative BP and SQ performances before and after training compared to women. Men had a comparable percent increase in BP (11.6 ± 10.0%) compared to women (11.6 ± 12.2%); however, women made a significantly greater percent increase in SQ (20.0 ± 13.7%) than men (7.0 ± 6.9%). The BP:SQ ratios were not significantly different between men (0.64 ± 0.13) and women (0.67 ± 0.10) before training but tended to increase slightly after training in men (0.68 ± 0.08, p = 0.08) but significantly decrease in women (0.59 ± 0.12, p < 0.01). This change was due to the greater relative increase in SQ by women compared to their BP which produced a significant difference in BP:SQ ratio between the genders after training (p < 0.001). Men and women produced approximately the same number of RTF at comparable %1-RM for both BP and SQ before and after training. Strength changes were not significantly correlated with RTF change in BP or SQ. Adolescent men and women make comparable relative increases in BP after resistance training, but women may have a greater capacity for increasing SQ. Relative muscular endurance is not altered by short term increases in muscle strength for upper or lower body exercises. Given the same training program, adolescent women show comparable percent increases in upper body strength but greater gains in lower body strength than adolescent men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]