The Effect of Load on Subphase Analysis During the Hang Pull

Meechan, D, McErlain-Naylor, SA, Phua, JP, and Comfort, P. The effect of load on subphase analysis during the hang pull. J Strength Cond Res 39(7): 721-729, 2025-The effect of load on temporally aligned time-series data has yet to be investigated during weightlifting derivatives. Such data may provide greater insight regarding any differences in stimulus between relative loads during each phase. This study compared the effect of load on the force-time and velocity-time curves during the hang pull (HP). Twenty-seven males performed the HP at relative loads of 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, and 140% one repetition maximum (1RM) power clean (PC). A force plate measured the vertical ground reaction force, which calculated the barbell-lifter system velocity. Time-series were time-normalized to 101 data points (0-100% of the movement duration) via piecewise linear length normalization of the individual phases (unweighting, braking, propulsion) and assessed via statistical parametric mapping. Relative loads of 40% 1RM PC maximized propulsion velocity, whereas 140% 1RM maximized force. Statistical parametric mapping analysis showed greater force at 140% 1RM PC throughout 55-100% of total movement duration compared with all loads, with greater propulsion velocity at lighter loads during the propulsion phase (79-100% of the movement) for all loads, with greater negative velocity at 140% 1RM PC compared with 60 and 100% 1RM PC during late unweighting/early braking phase (32-54% of the movement). Braking, propulsion, and total absolute durations increased with load. It may be appropriate to prescribe the HP during a maximal strength and strength-speed mesocycle given the ability to use supramaximal loads.