Summary of an article on effects of different warm-ups on power output in Olympic weightlifting.
Who
9 healthy male Olympic weightlifters aged 23.7±3.8 years with at least 3 years of experience in resistance training; training 4 times per week (New Zealand).
Design
Randomised cross-over controlled trial.
High pull specific (HPS)
- submaximal sets of 5 at 60, 70, 80, and 85% of maximal power output
- 90 seconds rest
Cycling
- 100W on a cycle ergometer
- until 2°C increase in the muscle temperature
Whole body vibration (WBV)
- 6-second-body-weight squats on a vibration platform (6 mm side vibration at 30Hz); 60 seconds on, 30 seconds rest
- until 2°C increase in the muscle temperature
Combined cycling + HPS
- cycling first
- HPS protocol next
Combined WBV + HPS
- whole body vibration first
- HPS protocol next
Control
- resting
- for 10 minutes
Outcome measures
- maximal power output on high pull measured via custom-made fine wire linear potentiometer
- muscle activity of the gluteus maximum, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris (left leg) via EMG
- muscle temperature of the vastus lateralis (right leg) via intramuscular thermistor
Main results
- High pull specific warm-up, whole body vibration, and both combinations were effective in improving maximal power output.
- High pull specific warm-up was the fastest and took 339±2.3 s (5.7 minutes).
- Intramuscular temperature was the highest after cycling, whole body vibration, and both combinations.
- Muscle activity did not change after any of the warm-ups.
Take home message
For a clinician & coach
High pull specific warm-up, whole body vibration, and both combinations were effective in improving maximal power output. High pull specific warm-up was the shortest. The intramuscular temperature was the highest after cycling, whole body vibration, and both combinations. None of the warm-ups made a difference in muscle activity.
For a parent
High pull specific warm-up, whole body vibration, and both combinations warm-ups improved maximal power output. High pull specific warm-up was the shortest.
For an athlete
High pull specific warm-up, whole body vibration, and both combination warm-ups improved maximal power output. High pull specific warm-up was the shortest.
Original article
Barnes MJ, Petterson A, Cochrane DJ. Effects of different warm-up modalities on power output during the high pull. Journal of Sports Sciences. 2017 May 19;35(10):976-81.
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