Longitudinal Associations Between Isometric Peak Force in Key Pull Positions With Weightlifting Performance in International-Level Female Weightlifters.

Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the longitudinal associations between peak force (PF) in the isometric start position pull (ISPP), isometric transition position pull (ITPP), and isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) with weightlifting performance. Methods A retrospective longitudinal analysis was conducted using isometric assessment and performance data collected over a period of up to 3 years from 7 international-level female weightlifters (age 26.8 [7.4] y; body mass 59.9 [7.0] kg). The dependent variables were absolute (Total) and allometrically scaled competition performance (Totala). The independent variables were absolute (ISPP, ITPP, IMTP) and allometrically scaled (ISPPa, ITPPa, IMTPa) PF in the 3 pull positions and Time (3-mo intervals). Separate linear mixed models were used to examine their longitudinal associations. Results The ISPP and ISPPa showed significant positive associations with Total and Totala (P < .01), explaining 31% and 12% of the variance. Time as a fixed factor was not significant (P > .05), and reduced models (omitting Time) explained greater variance of 45% and 18%, respectively. The ITPP, IMTP, ITPPa and IMTPa were not significant in full models, yet reduced models identified these as significant predictors (P < .05) but with poorer model fit. Conclusions The ISPP demonstrates the strongest and most stable longitudinal predictor of weightlifting performance, supporting its use as a primary assessment for monitoring performance changes.