Differences in Mechanical Output between One Repetition Maximum- and Body Mass-Based Load Determination in The...

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Biomechanics
• Weightlifting Performance

Background:

• Prescribing training loads for weightlifting derivatives often uses one-repetition maximum (1RM).
• Body mass (BM) is an alternative load prescription method, but its effectiveness in overhead pressing derivatives like the behind-neck push jerk (BNPJ) is understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effects of loads prescribed by 1RM versus BM on kinetic and kinematic variables during the BNPJ.
• To determine the optimal method for load prescription in the BNPJ for different performance outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Sixteen recreational male athletes performed the BNPJ using loads from 40% to 80% of their 1RM and BM.
• Kinematic (peak velocity, mean velocity, phase time) and kinetic (peak force, mean force, peak power, mean power, impulse) data were collected using force plates.
• A two-way repeated measures ANOVA analyzed the effects of load prescription approach and intensity.

Main Results:

• No significant interactions were found between load prescription approaches and intensities for any variable.
• Intensity significantly affected all kinematic and kinetic variables.
• Significant main effects for approach were found in all kinetic variables, with 1RM-based loads yielding greater outputs than BM-based loads.
• Kinematic variables were not significantly different between the 1RM and BM approaches.

Conclusions:

• BM is a viable alternative to 1RM for prescribing loads in the BNPJ when the primary goal is to enhance kinematic characteristics.
• For maximizing kinetic outputs in the BNPJ, using 1RM-based load prescription is more effective than BM-based prescription.