Summary of an article on Olympic weightlifting gold medelists and characteristics of their snatches.
Who
7 elite female weightlifters who won the gold medal (weight classes: 48, 53, 58, 63, 69, 75, 75+ kg) in the 2010 Women’s World Weightlifting Championship.
Design
The heaviest snatch lifts from the 2010 Women’s World Weightlifting Championship’s gold medallists.
Outcome measures
- first and second pull characteristics
Main results
- First pull was the longest.
- Maximal vertical barbell velocity was higher in the second pull than in the first pull.
- Knee’s extensions were the fastest at the fist pull and hip’s extensions in the second pull.
- The bar moved on average 29.34±6.24 cm (distance) in the first pull, and 25.91±2.81 cm in the second pull (no difference).
- The work required to perform first pull was higher than for the second pull, but the power was higher in the second pull.
Take home message
For a clinician & coach
Elite women's snatch characteristics are: - first pull was the longest, slowest and required the most work. - in the second pull the bar was moving the fastest and the power exerted was the highest. - the distance the bar moved in the first and second pull were equal.
For a parent
Elite women in snatch have long and slow the first pull, and fast and powerfull the second pull. The bar distance is the same for both pulls.
For an athlete
Elite women in snatch have long and slow the first pull, and fast and powerfull the second pull. The bar distance is the same for both pulls.
Original article
AkkuS H. Kinematic analysis of the snatch lift with elite female weightlifters during the 2010 World Weightlifting Championship. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research. 2012 Apr 1;26(4):897-905.