Biomechanical analysis of the snatch technique in junior elite female weightlifters

ABSTRACT: The strength and technical competence of junior female lifters play a decisive role not only for their current but also adulthood performance. The objective of this study was to investigate the three-dimensional kinematics of the snatch technique in junior female weightlifters. Ten elite junior female weightlifters participated in the study. Two cameras operating at 50 fields per second were used to record the lifts. The heaviest successful lifts were selected for the kinematic analysis. The kinematical data were obtained using a motion analysis system. The duration of the first pull was significantly longer than that of the other phases (P < 0.05). Maximum extension angle and velocity of the lower limb joints were significantly greater in the second pull (P < 0.05). The greatest extension angle was found in the knee joint during the first pull, while the greatest extension angle was observed in the hip joint during the second pull (P < 0.05). Maximum extension velocity of the knee and hip joints was significantly greater than that of the ankle in both phases (P < 0.05). In addition, the vertical velocity of the barbell and the absolute and relative power outputs was significantly higher in the second pull than in the first pull (P < 0.05). In the snatch lifting of junior female weightlifters, the angular kinematics of lower limb joints, the linear kinematics and trajectory of the barbell and other energy characteristics are similar to and consistent with the values reported in literature for adult female weightlifters.