The load that maximises the mechanical power output in the power clean: A comparison between different relative strength levels

Quantification of power output in strength and conditioning exercises such as the power clean is an important consideration when attempting to optimise training programs in athletes. This study determined the optimal load (%1 RM) in the power clean in addition to determining whether power output values changed according to an athlete's level of relative strength. Twenty-nine highly trained male athletes (mass = 88kg ± 18. ?kg, power clean 1 RM = 99.2 ± 18.9kg) from a variety of sports performed lifts at 10% increments between 50%-100% of 1 RM of their power clean. A linear position transducer (LPT) was used to measure bar displacement and power output was calculated using both system mass (LPT SM) and bar mass (LPT BM) calculation methods. A mixed factorial design was used to determine whether there was a difference in power output values between athletes of low and high relative strength levels and analysis was also undertaken to examine the effect of athlete type (volleyballers and non-volleyballers). From. the load-power relationships obtained in this study, power output in the power clean was optimised at 50% of 1 RM when using the LPT SM method and 90% of 1 RM was the load that maximised power output using the LPT BM method. There was a trend (p=0.084) towards nonvolleyballers producing higher power output values using the LPT BM calculation method whilst the high relative strength group showed significantly larger (p=0.001) power output values across the loading continuum when using the LPT BM method. These findings are of interest to both strength and conditioning professionals and sports scientists for the relevance to both testing and training of athletes.

Grantor dc:publisher

Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia

Year dc:date

2008

Author dc:creator

• Beard, Adam J.

• Weight lifting
• Physiological aspects
• Athletes
• Training of.
• Sports Sciences

Repository record dc:identifier

https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/219

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ro.ecu.edu.au:theses-1219