Performance and Hormonal Responses to Different Training Modalities in Young Weightlifters: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Summary

Olympic weightlifting is a sport that requires high levels of force production, technical skill, and intermuscular coordination. The effects of strength training during adolescence on performance, anaerobic power, and hormonal responses are critically important for athlete health and development.

This study investigated the effects of different strength training methods on snatch (SN) and clean \& jerk (C\&J) performance, anaerobic power levels, and selected hormonal parameters (growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor 1 \[IGF-1\], total testosterone (TT), insulin (INS), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)) in young male weightlifters. A total of 32 male weightlifters participated in the study. The participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups: undulating strength training (UG) (age: 17.6 ± 1.6 years), serial strength training (SG) (age: 16.9 ± 1.3 years), maximal strength training (MG) (age: 17.3 ± 1.4 years), and a control group (CG) (age: 17.1 ± 1.2 years). The experimental groups underwent sport-specific strength training five days per week for eight weeks. The performance assessments included one-repetition maximum (1RM) tests for the SN and C\&J lifts, whereas the anaerobic power was measured via the vertical jump test. Hormonal parameters were analyzed via a chemiluminescent autoanalyzer. Paired samples t tests were used for within-group comparisons, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed for between-group comparisons.

The findings revealed significant improvements in SN, C\&J, and anaerobic power performance in the groups subjected to UG, SG, and MG strength training. However, no significant differences were observed between the training groups in terms of performance or hormonal response. While some hormonal parameters increased, others did not significantly change.

Various strength training approaches contribute to improvements in the technical performance and anaerobic power of young weightlifters; however, their effects on hormonal responses appear to be limited. Planning training programs according to individual needs and developmental stages is essential for safeguarding athlete health and supporting long-term performance development.

Conditions

• Weightlifting
• Hormone
• Young
• Performance
• Anaerobic Power
• Strength Training Effects

Interventions

PROCEDURE

Intervention 1: UG

Participants perform UG targeting SN and C\&J exercises, varying intensity at 80% of 1RM and volume (5 sets of 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 repetitions) over weeks. Rest between sets: 90 seconds.

PROCEDURE

Intervention 2: SG

Participants perform SG with SN and C\&J at consistent 80% 1RM intensity, 5 sets of 5 repetitions each session. Rest between sets: 90 seconds.

PROCEDURE

Intervention 3: MG

Participants engage in MG training focusing on SN and C\&J at 100% 1RM, 5 sets of 1 repetition, with 180 seconds rest between sets.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Selcuk University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Alpaslan Görücü, Professor Doctor · Selçuk University, Faculty of Sport Sciences

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

15 Years

Max Age

20 Years

Sex

MALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2021-02-02

Primary Completion

2021-11-19

Completion

2022-08-03

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations