KINEMATICS OF THE SNATCH IN ELITE MALE WEIGHTLIFTERS

The purpose of the study was to analyze the kinematical differences between the first and the second pull of the snatch technique in elite male weightlifters. The heaviest successful snatch lifts of seven male weightlifters who won gold medals at the 2010 Men’s World Weightlifting Championship were analyzed. The snatch lifts were recorded using 2 S-VHS cameras (50 fields/s), and points on the body and the barbell were manually digitized using the Ariel Performance Analysis System. The results revealed that the maximum vertical velocity of the barbell was significantly greater in the second pull than that of the first pull (p<0.05). While the mechanical work produced in the first pull was significantly greater, the power output was significantly greater in the second pull (p<0.05). As a result, it was revealed that the second pull phase was faster and more powerful than the first pull, and that the kinematics of the barbell during the second pull had a decisive role for a successful lift.

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