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Postural stability under sensory challenge in Masters weightlifters and its association with weightlifting
Marianne Huebner1,2, Wenjuan Ma3, Bryan L Riemann4
1Department of Statistics and Probability, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA. huebner@msu.edu.
Background:
Postural control relies on the integration of somatosensory, visual, and vestibular information, with age-related declines in these systems contributing, as well as motor performance, to diminished balance performance. Regular sport participation may mitigate these effects, yet limited data exist on postural stability in Masters Olympic-style weightlifters-a population performing highly demanding, balance-dependent movements. This study examined age- and sex-related differences in quiet-stance postural stability in competitive Masters weightlifters and explored whether postural stability contributes to weightlifting performance beyond countermovement jump (CMJ) peak power.
Methods:
During the 2022 World Masters Weightlifting Championship, 104 competitors (67 females, 37 males; ages 35-75 years) from 11 countries completed balance testing under four conditions: firm and foam surfaces, each with eyes open and eyes closed. Medial-lateral sway velocity index (SVI) was computed from force-plate data and averaged across two 30-s trials per condition. Participants also completed CMJ testing to determine peak concentric power normalized to body mass. Postural stability was analyzed using linear quantile mixed‑effects models. Weightlifting performance was defined by standardizing the total weight lifted (z‑score), calculated by adjusting the total weight lifted across body mass and sex. Median regression models examined associations of SVI and CMJ peak power with performance.
Results:
Postural stability decreased on the foam surface compared with the fixed surface (median difference 0.47, p < 0.001), and closed eyes further exacerbated sway (interaction 0.23, p < 0.001). SVI increased modestly with age (per 5 years: 0.03, p < 0.001), while no sex differences were observed. Countermovement jump peak power was strongly associated with better weightlifting performance (coefficient 0.24, p < 0.001). Better postural stability (lower SVI) may enhance the effect of peak power on performance (coefficient - 0.07, p = 0.055), although it did not reach statistical significance.
Conclusions:
Masters weightlifters demonstrated modest age-related decline in postural stability on stable surfaces and no sex differences across conditions. Under challenging sensory conditions, postural stability decreased with older age, yet it remained well maintained on stable surfaces. While peak power was a strong determinant of weightlifting performance, postural stability may provide an additional, though modest contribution. Further longitudinal studies are warranted to evaluate balance and performance with advancing age.
