Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026
Muscle Imbalances: Testing and Training Functional Eccentric Hamstring Strength in Athletic Populations
Published on: May 1, 2018
Evaluation of the Training Session in Elite Paralympic Powerlifting Athletes Based on Biomechanical and Thermal
Larissa Christine Vieira Santos1,2, Felipe J Aidar1,2,3,4,5, Rodrigo Villar5
1Graduate Program of Physical Education, Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), São Cristovão 49100-000, Brazil.
Background:
Paralympic powerlifting (PP) is performed on a bench press, aiming to lift as much weight as possible in a single repetition.
Purpose:
To evaluate thermal asymmetry and dynamic force parameters with 45 and 80% 1 Repetition Maximum (1 RM) in PP athletes.
Methods:
Twelve elite PP male athletes were evaluated before and after a training session regarding skin temperature (thermography) and dynamic force indicators (Average Propulsive Velocity-MPV, Maximum Velocity-VMax, and Power). The training consisted of five series of five repetitions (5 × 5) with 80% 1 RM. The force indicators and dynamics before and after (45% 1 RM) were evaluated in series "1" and "5" with 80% 1 RM.
Results:
The temperature did not present asymmetry, and there were differences between the moment before and after. In MPV, Vmax, and Power, with 45% 1 RM, there were differences both in asymmetry and in moments (p < 0.005). With 80% 1 RM, asymmetry was observed, but no differences between moments (p < 0.005).
Conclusion:
No thermal asymmetry was observed. There were reductions in MVP and VMax at 45 and 80% 1 RM but without significant differences between time points (before and after). However, there was asymmetry in the moments before and after within a safety standard, where Paralympic powerlifting was safe in terms of asymmetries.
