The primary aim of the current study was to determine the time curves of changes in the record scores in the snatch and its variations during a two-year training cycle in young weightlifters. This study also aimed at assessing the ratios between these scores and at predicting the snatch record scores at the end of the subsequent annual training macrocycle. The final purpose was to compare the record scores with the isometric peak torque values of the trunk and knee extensors. The study involved 16 weightlifters who were tested seven times at three-month intervals. The overall mean ratios of the record scores in the hang snatch to those in the snatch and the record scores in the hang power snatch to those in the snatch were approximately constant and amounted to 0.95 and 0.79, respectively. The overall mean ratio between the scores in the power snatch to those in the snatch was approximately 0.88. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) between the individual time trajectories of record scores in the snatch and its derivatives were identified in two consecutive annual training macrocycles. The error in predicting record results at the end of the following annual training macrocycle was 6.7 ± 4.7% or 8.1 ± 3.4% depending on the way the measurement data were modeled. The results of the study also indicate that the measurements of the isometric peak torque of the trunk extensors performed in laboratory conditions can be useful in diagnosing the strength capacity of young weightlifters.

Introduction. The aim of the current study was to examine the relationship between knee and elbow isometric muscle torque values and the results obtained in special and specific exercises in young weightlifters. Material and methods. The study involved eight young weightlifters (age: 19.9 ± 4.3 years; height: 176.8 ± 10.6 cm; weight: 69.0 ± 19.7 kg -pretest, 70.9 ± 21.6 -posttest). Their performance put them in the second and third top classes of weightlifters their age according to the Polish norms for weightlifting (the so-called 'national class' and 'first class' in the Polish system, which are lower than the 'international class'). The differences between the values obtained in the first measurement of torque performed at the beginning of the preparation period and those obtained at the beginning of the immediate pre-competition period were compared with the differences in the maximal load lifted in special and specific exercises. Results. The training that the weightlifters underwent during the preparation period caused a significant increase in the relative torque values of the knee extensors (0.56 Nm/kg on average, p ≤ 0.047) and those of the elbow flexors (0.35 Nm/kg, p ≤ 0.0002). Significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) were observed between the results obtained in all of the special and specific exercises examined. A statistically significant relationship was also found between the changes in relative torque values and the results achieved in special and specific exercises. Conclusions. The regression equations derived in the study can help predict sports performance outcomes based on the results of laboratory tests.

Wstęp. Systematyczna aktywność fizyczna opóźnia procesy starzenia, sprzyja dobremu samopoczuciu oraz zmniejsza ryzyko zachorowania na wiele chorób, między innymi nawagę i otyłość. Celem niniejszej pracy było określenie częstości występowania nadmiaru masy ciała w populacji 60-letnich i starszych mieszkańców Białej Podlaskiej, z uwzględnieniem aktywności ruchowej. Materiał i metody. Materiał do pracy stanowią wyniki badań 180 kobiet i 167 mężczyzn, którzy ukończyli 60. rok życia i starszych. Poziom rozwoju fizycznego scharakteryzowano na podstawie oceny wysokości i masy ciała, obwodu talii (WC) i bioder, BMI oraz WHR. Aktywność ruchową respondentów określono na podstawie informacji uzyskanych od badanych uczestniczących w obserwacjach (osoby aktywne oraz nieaktywne ruchowo). Zgromadzone rezultaty poddano opracowaniu statystycznemu. Wyniki. W całej populacji badanych nadwagę lub otyłość stwierdzono u 78,33% kobiet i 82,03% mężczyzn. Prawidłową masą ciała charakteryzowało się 21,67% ogółu badanych płci żeńskiej i 17,97% badanych płci męskiej. Jedynie u jednej kobiety odnotowano niedobór masy ciała. Otyłość brzuszną odnotowano u 88,34% kobiet (WHR>0,8) i 70,86% mężczyzn (WHR>0,9). Na podstawie obwodu talii stwierdzono otyłość brzuszną u 72,23% kobiet (WC>88 cm) i 41,35% mężczyzn (WC>102 cm). Wnioski. Mieszkańców Białej Podlaskiej cechują się podobną częstością występowania nadmiaru masy ciała jak ich rówieśnicy z Polski i innych krajów. Aktywność ruchowa seniorów w znaczący sposób nie różnicuje ich proporcji wagowo-wzrostowych. Natomiast odnotowano różnice istotne statystycznie pomiędzy cechami somatycznymi osób zakwalifikowanych do grup o odmiennym poziomie aktywności ruchowej. Ponadto częstość otyłości brzusznej u kobiet wiązała się poziomem aktywności ruchowej. Takich zależności nie stwierdzono u mężczyzn.

The aim of this study was to identify biomechanical factors affecting successful and unsuccessful snatch attempts in elite female weightlifters during the 2013 World Weightlifting Championships. Fourteen female competitors took part in this study. Their successful and unsuccessful snatch lifts with the same load were recorded with 2 camcorders (50 Hz), and selected points were digitized manually on to the body and the barbell using the Ariel Performance Analysis System. The kinetic and kinematic barbell movement as well as the athlete’s body movement variables during the liftoff phase were examined. The results of this study show statistical differences (p ≤ 0.05) between successful and unsuccessful attempts in relation to the angle values in the knee and hip joints in preparation for the aerial phase position. Similarly, the center of gravity velocity was significantly higher in successful attempts during the catch phase. Thus, coaches should pay particular attention to the accuracy of the execution in preparation for the aerial phase position and to the velocity of the center of gravity of the competitors during the catch phase.

Introduction. The aim of the study was to determine the changes in the peak torque of the knee extensors and flexors of the dominant lower limb, the shoulder internal and external rotators of the dominant upper limb, and the shoulder extensors and flexors of the dominant upper limb as well as the changes in jump height in volleyball players during the annual training macrocycle. Material and methods. The study involved 13 volleyball players from a Polish second-league team. The measurements were performed five times: before the preparation period (T1), at the beginning of the competitive season (T2), in the middle (T3) and at the end of the first competition period (T4), and after the competitive season (T5). The torque of the knee muscles and shoulder rotators was measured in isokinetic conditions, and the torque of the shoulder extensors and flexors was assessed in isometric conditions. Jumping ability was tested using a piezoelectric platform. Results. We observed statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in jump height and relative peak torque between the measurements, except for the torque of the shoulder external rotators and flexors. The results of multiple factor analysis based on 5 sets composed of 5 strength variables revealed differences between subjects and measurement sessions. Conclusions. The results obtained indicate that strength and jumping ability should be assessed regularly during the competitive season. The findings of the study suggest that it is necessary to modify the training methods used during the preparation period and individualize the training in the final phase of the competition period.