The relationship of lower-body, multi-joint isometric and dynamic neuromuscular assessment variables with snatch and clean & jerk performance in competitive weightlifters. A Meta-Analysis

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to synthesize the literature and provide a robust estimate of the correlations between lower body multi-joint isometric and dynamic neuromuscular assessment variables with Snatch (SN) and Clean & Jerk (C&J) performance in competitive weightlifters. A comprehensive search via three electronic databases (PubMed, SPORTDiscus and Web of Science) returned 12 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analyses were performed on Pearson’s correlations between SN and C&J with 15 variables from five neuromuscular assessments – countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ), isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP), and back squat (BS) and front squat (FS) one-repetition-maximum (1-RM). The FS and BS 1-RM exhibited nearly perfect correlations (r = 0.93 to 0.94), whereas the IMTP peak force exhibited very large correlations (r = 0.83 to 0.85). The IMTP force at 250 ms exhibited very large correlations (r = 0.77 to 0.78) and the CMJ and SJ peak power exhibited very large to nearly perfect correlations (r = 0.88 to 0.92). These findings illustrate the importance of lower body maximal and time-limited force producing capabilities in weightlifters. Moreover, each assessment offers at least one variable that exhibit a correlation > 0.70, therefore may be used to gauge weightlifting performance potential.