No differences in weightlifting overhead pressing exercises kinetics

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the kinetics between the push press (PP), push jerk (PJ), and split jerk (SJ). Sixteen resistance-trained participants (12 men and 4 women; age: 23.8 ± 4.4 years; height: 1.7 ± 0.1 m; body mass: 75.7 ± 13.0 kg; weightlifting experience: 2.2 ± 1.3 years; one repetition maximum [1RM] PP: 76.5 ± 19.5 kg) performed 3 repetitions each of the PP, PJ and SJ at a relative load of 80% 1RM PP on a force platform. The kinetics (peak and mean force, peak and mean power, and impulse) of the PP, PJ and SJ were determined during the dip and thrust phases. Dip and thrust displacement and duration were also calculated for the three lifts. In addition, the inter-repetition reliability of each variable across the three exercises was analyzed. Moderate to excellent reliability was evident for the PP (Intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.91 -1.00), PJ (ICC = 0.86 -1.00) and SJ (ICC = 0.55 -0.99) kinetics. One-way analysis of variance revealed no significant or meaningful differences (p > 0.05,  2 < 0.010) for any kinetic measure between the PP, PJ, and SJ. In conclusion, there were no differences in kinetics between the PP, PJ, and SJ when performed at the same standardized load of 80% 1RM PP.

National Strength and Conditioning Association Position Statement on Weightlifting for Sports Performance

“…These exercises share similar lower-body propulsion kinematics during the dip (unweighting and breaking phase of a quick partial squat) and drive/thrust phase (rapid extension of the knees, hips, and plantar flexion of the ankles) (166,167,262,265). The main differences between these lifts occur after the lower-body propulsion phase where there are differences in barbell displacements and the athlete's position during the catch phase (262,265). During the push press, the barbell is accelerated upward through the extension of the legs and pressed upward through the full flexion of the shoulders and extension of the elbows, whereas the feet remain in complete contact with the ground.…”

“…Interestingly, there are no meaningful differences in lower-body kinetic differences between the push press, push jerk, and split jerk when performed at the same standardized load (80% of 1RM push press) (265). Although further research comparing the effect of load and exercise is needed, considering that heavier loads may hypothetically be lifted during the push jerk and split jerk based on the higher 1RM performances associated with these exercises (261,262,265), these exercises require the athlete to generate greater propulsion forces and power outputs at heavier loads (Figure 1). In fact, the ability to lift heavier loads depends greatly on the ability to rapidly generate force (103–105), so that a sufficient impulse (force × time) developed to accelerate the athletes' mass and the barbell.…”

“…During the push press, the barbell is accelerated upward through the extension of the legs and pressed upward through the full flexion of the shoulders and extension of the elbows, whereas the feet remain in complete contact with the ground. When performing the push jerk, after completing the extension phase, the athlete rebends their knees and catches the barbell in a 1/4 squat position, whereas in the split jerk, the athlete moves their feet into a split position when receiving the barbell overhead (262,265,266). In addition, the position of the barbell with respect to the lifter's body and the hand spacing may subdivide the push press, push jerk, and split jerk into different complementary exercises such as the snatch grip push press or jerk, which is initiated from a position behind the neck (Table 1) (94,147,266).…”

“…In fact, the jerk is the only sporting task where the human being has been able to lift 3 times their body mass overhead (278). Recently, researchers have reported that there are differences between the 1RM performance for the push press, push jerk, and split jerk (261,262,265), where the largest loads are typically lifted during the split jerk, followed by push jerk (95% of the normalized split jerk performance) and push press (87% of the normalized split jerk performance) (261,262,265), with the differences attributable to differences in the required barbell displacement to complete each lift (e.g., lower barbell displacement in the split jerk). However, the differences in 1RM are likely greater in elite weightlifters because Roman (238) has previously reported that the push jerk was about 90% of the maximum split jerk performance.…”

“…These complex, ballistic multijoint movement patterns require the lifter to generate high forces through rapid extension of the knees, hips, and ankles (i.e., triple extension), transmitting these through the trunk to the upper extremities (214,266), to provide a sufficient impulse to accelerate the barbell overhead. These exercises share similar lower-body propulsion kinematics during the dip (unweighting and breaking phase of a quick partial squat) and drive/thrust phase (rapid extension of the knees, hips, and plantar flexion of the ankles) (166,167,262,265). The main differences between these lifts occur after the lower-body propulsion phase where there are differences in barbell displacements and the athlete's position during the catch phase (262,265).…”