Characteristics of a National Level Female Weightlifter Peaking for Competition: A Case Study

This study investigated physiological and performance changes of a national-level 69 kg female weightlifter after 3 competition phases over a 28-week training period. The athlete first trained for a regional championship (weeks 1–12), followed by a local competition (weeks 13–23) and the national championship (weeks 24–28). Body mass, vastus lateralis cross-sectional area (CSA), and unloaded and loaded squat jump performance were assessed weekly during each 4-week competition phase. Serum biomarkers and dynamic midthigh pulls were assessed before and after each competition phase. Weightlifting performance goals were met for the regional championship (total = 200 kg) and the local competition (total = 193 kg), but not the national championship (total = 196 kg). She lost more body mass in preparation for Nationals (−6.0 kg) compared with regionals (−2.5 kg) and the local competition (+2.2 kg). Vastus lateralis CSA very likely decreased after Nationals (precision = 99%, effect size = 2.08). Her testosterone:cortisol ratio likely increased (88%, 2.64), whereas interleukin-6 (79%, 2.47) and tumor necrosis factor–alpha (81%, 3.59) likely decreased after Nationals. Serum myostatin (99%, 1.95) and decorin (99%, 1.96) very likely decreased after the local competition. Unloaded squat jump height likely increased the week of regionals (89%, 0.95) and the local competition (99%, 1.83), whereas unloaded and loaded squat jump height possibly (69%, 0.99) and likely (82%, 1.52) d...
Source: Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research - Category: Sports Medicine Tags: Original Research Source Type: research