Effects of Priming with Light vs. Heavy Loads on Weightlifting Performance

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of a priming training session with either a light or heavy load snatch and clean pulls on weightlifting performance.

Twelve well-trained weightlifters (seven males and five females) participated in the study. The athletes followed a counterbalanced study design comparing three treatments, including a day of rest (control) and two priming sessions involving two different weightlifting derivatives-the snatch and the clean pulls-which were performed either with 80% of the one-repetition maximum (1-RM) (LP) or with 110% of the 1-RM (HP). Twenty-four hours later, the 1-RM strength test for the snatch and clean and jerk, as well as the barbell kinematic characteristics at 100% of the 1-RM in the snatch and clean and jerk, were measured. The rate of perceived exertion (RPE) was measured following the priming sessions.

Performance in snatch remained unchanged following the LP and HP. However, performance in the clean and jerk increased significantly by 3.1% following the HP compared to the control. No significant differences were observed in barbell kinematics. The RPE was significantly higher for HP compared to LP.

These results suggest that an HP performed 24 h prior to the 1-RM evaluation in weightlifting may have significantly increased performance in the clean and jerk. These changes may not be explained by barbell kinematics.