Relationships Between Anthropometry and Maximal Strength in Male Classic Powerlifters

Several studies have determined the influence of physical characteristics on strength. The present quantified the relationships between anthropometry and maximal strength. Male classic powerlifters (n=59) were measured before a championship. Two-tailed Pearson correlation analysis was used. Powerlifters that presented higher relative maximal strength (RMS) in the squat and bench generally had higher body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI), torso circumference (C), waist C/height, torso C/height (r=0.26 to 0.49, p<0.05), and smaller lower leg length (L)/height and forearm L/torso C (r=-0.31 to -0.45, p<0.05) ratios. Powerlifters with a higher % of their deadlift on their total generally presented a smaller BW, BMI, body fat percentage (BF%), waist and torso C, trunk L, waist C/height, torso C/height, trunk L/height, waist C/hip C, thigh L/lower leg L, trunk L/thigh L ratios (r=-0.26 to -0.49, p<0.05) and higher lower leg L, lower leg L/height, reach/height, and forearm L/torso C ratios (r=0.32 to 0.51, p<0.05). Stepwise regressions revealed that a bigger torso positively predicted absolute maximal strength (AMS) in the squat (β=0.41, p=0.04), the bench (β=0.77, p<0.01), the deadlift (β=0.88, p<0.01) and the total (β=0.89, p<0.01), that a higher torso C/height ratio positively predicted RMS in the squat(β=0.48, p<0.01), the bench (β=-0.87, p<0.01) and the total (β=0.66, p<0.01), and that reach/height positively predicted RMS in the deadlift (β=0.37, p<0.01) and it's % on the total (β=0.31, p<0.01), but negatively predicted RMS in the bench (β=-0.25, p=0.02) and its % on the total (β=-0.24, p=0.04) As all of the stronger correlations came from AMS, powerlifters should focus on increasing AMS (weight lifted) instead of RMS (Wilks pts).