Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 2005, 19(4), 741-748
© 2005 National Strength &. Conditioning Association
FORCE-TIME CURVE CHARACTERISTICS OF DYNAMIC
AND ISOMETRIC MUSCLE ACTIONS OF ELITE WOMEN
OLYMPIC WEIGHTLIFTERS
G. GREGORY HAFF,' JON M . CARLOCK,* MICHAEL J. HARTMAN,^ J. L O N KILGORE,^
NAOKI KAWAMORI,=^ JANNA R. JACKSON,' ROBERT T. MORRIS,^ WILLIAM A. SANDS,'' AND
MICHAEL H. STONE^
'Division of Exercise Physiology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506; ''Human
Performance Laboratory, Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, Texas 76308; 'Coaching and Sport Science
Division, United States Olympic Committee, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80909; ''USA Weightlifting, Colorado
Springs, Colorado 80909.
ABSTRACT. Haff, G.G., J.M. Carlock, M.J. Hartman, J.L. Kil-
gore, N. Kawamori, J.R. Jackson, R.T. Morris, W.A. Sands, and
M.H. Stone. Force-time curve characteristics of dynamic and
isometric muscle actions of elite women Olympic weightlifters.
J. Strength Cond. Res. 19(4):741-748. 2005.—Six elite women
weightlifters were tested to evaluate force-time curve charac-
teristics and intercorrelations of isometric and dynamic muscle
actions. Subjects performed isometric and dynamic mid-thigh
clean pulls at 30Vf of maximal isometric peak force and 100 kg
from a standardized position on a 61.0 x 121.9 cm AMTI force-
plate. Isometric peak force showed strong correlations to the ath-
letes' competitive snatch, clean and jerk, and comhined total (r
= 0.93, 0.64, and O.RO respectively). Isometric rate of force de-
velopment showed moderate to strong relationships to the ath-
letes' competitive snatch, clean and jerk, and comhined total Ir
- 0.79, 0.69, and 0.80 respectively). The results of this study
suggest that the ahility to perform maximal snatch and clean
and jerks shows some structural and functional foundation with
the ahility to generate high forces rapidly in elite women weight-
lifters.
KEY WOHUK. rate of force development, peak force, power, ver-
tical jump
m
INTRODUCTION
he evaluation of skeletal muscle function can be
conducted by analyzing the force-time curve of
select isometric (Figure 1) and dynamic muscle
actions (Figure 2) (8, 25). Force-time charac-
teristics such as the peak force (PF) and peak rate of force
development (PRFD) have been investigated with respect
to muscle fiber type (4), age (4-6), gender (25), and per-
formance (10).
When conducting a force-time curve analysis it ap-
pears that the PF and PRFD are the most crucial perfor-
mance variables (10). Traditionally, the PRFD and the PF
are assessed with the use of isometric testing methods
(12, 23, 34, 35). The literature indicates that the use of
isometric tests has produced mixed results. Several in-
vestigators suggest that isometric force-time character-
istics are poorly correlated with dynamic performance
(19, 23, 32), whereas several other researchers have de-
termined significant relationships between isometric
force-time curve characteristics and dynamic muscle ac-
tions (10, 13, 31). When considering these studies it ap-
pears that the joint angle selected for assessment during
the isometric tests significantly affects the relationship to
the dynamic muscle action (24). Haff et al. (10) deter-
mined significant relationships between dynamic and iso-
metric muscle actions when standardizing the joint angle
or movement positions during the dynamic and isometric
force-time curve assessment protocols. This data indicat-
ed that the closer the isometric force-time curve testing
protocol is to the actual dynamic movement, stronger re-
lationships might be expected.
The highest PRFDs are traditionally found in power
athletes who are men and utilize explosive exercises of
varying intensities in their training (15), whereas slower
PRFDs are typically observed in athletes who do not use
explosive exercises and among endurance athletes (14,
15). When the joint angle is standardized for the dynamic
and isometric assessment of the force-time curve, mod-
erately strong to strong relationships have been reported
between the isometric RFD and dynamic force-time curve
parameters of vertical jump tests and varying intensities
of mid-thigh clean pulls in men who use explosive exer-
cises in their training regimes (10).
Insufficient data exist in the scientific literature ex-
ploring the force-time curve characteristics of elite wom-
en athletes who use explosive exercises in their training
regimes. Additionally, very little data is available con-
cerning the relationship between isometric and dynamic
muscle actions in women athletes. This dearth of scien-
tific information in the literature in regard to elite women
athletes and the relationships of isometric and dynamic
muscle actions makes it extremely important that sports
scientists perform investigations in an attempt to further
understand these relationships in women. Therefore, the
purpose of this study was to examine the force-time curve
characteristics and intercorrelations of isometric and dy-
namic muscle actions in elite women weightlifters.
METHODS
Experimental Approach to the Problem
The present study was designed to examine the force-
time characteristics and intercorrelations of various as-
pects of dynamic and isometric muscle actions, which
were represented by the mid-thigh clean pull, counter-
movement vertical jump (CMJ), static vertical jump (SJ),
maximal snatch, and maximal clean and jerk in elite
women weightlifters. The isometric and dynamic mid-
thigh pulls were selected for this investigation on the ba-
741
742 HAFF, CARLOCK, HAETMAN ET AL.
3500
3000
2500 •
1500
1000
500
0
0 10 KO 30 40 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 250 300 350 400 450 500
Time (msl
FIGURE 1. Example of isometric force-time curve.
Dynamic Peak Fo
Peak Rate ol Force Oevalopment
• 1000
• •
0 10 20 30 40 50 75
FIGURE 2. Example of dynamic mid-thigh pull.
sis of previous research conducted with men who were
strength athletes (10, 29, 34).
Subjects
Six ehte women weightlifters who were members of USA
Weightlifting's Resident Women's Weightlifting Team
were recruited as suhjects for the present investigation.
All participants were considered elite and had competed
in national and international weightlifting competitions.
A summary of the athletes' national senior or junior rank-
ings and what percentage of the national records that the
athletes' maximums in the snatch, clean and jerk, and
total represent are presented in Tahle 1. The suhjects'
height, weight, age, body fat, maximal snatch, and clean
and jerk were: 167.2 ± 5.9 cm; 82.8 ± 18.9 kg; 21.5 ± 3.1
years; 27.7 ± 7.4%; 90.8 ± 8.0 kg; and 110.0 ± 16.0 kg.
Before participating in the project all suhjects read and
signed an informed consent and completed a health his-
tory questionnaire in accordance with guidelines set forth
hy Human Subjects Review Committee at Midwestern
State University and the United State Olympic Commit-
tee. After completing all appropriate paperwork, suhjects
had their body mass measured on a calibrated and cer-
tified digital scale (Toledo Scales, Columhus, OH) to the
nearest 0.1 kg and their height was measured to the near-
est 0.1 cm on a stadiometer. Seven skinfold sites were
tested hy the same tester using Lange Skinfold Calipers
(Cambridge Scientific Industries, Camhridge, MD). The
Siri equation was used to calculate percent body fat for
each suhject (28).
Isometric and Dynamic Testing Procedures
All isometric and dynamic lifts were performed on a cus-
tom-built isometric rack that allowed the har to be fixed
Isomelric Ffeak Fort
175 200 250 300 350 400 450 500
FIGURE 3. Isometric mid-thigh clean pull utilizing custom-
ized power rack and force platform.
at any height above the floor using a comhination of pins
and hydraulic jacks (10). The isometric rack was placed
over a 61 X 121.9 cm AMTI force plate (Advanced Me-
chanical Technologies, Newton, MA), which sampled at
600 hz (Figure 3). Additionally, velocity was measured by
front view videography. A reflective marker was attached
to the middle of the bar and video collected at 120 hz.
Standard videographic analyses were performed, result-
ing in calculation of bar velocity (Peak Performance Tech-
nologies, Englewood, CO). All force-time curve data were
calculated from the vertical force component of the
ground reaction forces with methods previously reported
in the scientific Hterature {10, 27).
To assess the force-time characteristics, 3 types of
mid-thigh pulls were selected: isometric, dynamic pull at
30% of isometric peak force, and a dynamic pull per-
formed at 100 kg. These tests were selected on the basis
of previous research, which suggests that these tests have
strong relationships to performance (10, 29, 34). Addi-
tionally, the mid-thigh position was selected because it
corresponds to the portion of the clean and snatch where
the highest forces and velocities are generated (9). Two-
dimensional video analysis was used in an attempt to in-
sure tbat the knee angles (127-145°) on actual lifting
were mirrored in both the isometric and dynamic mid-
thigh pull tests.
All subjects were familiarized with the testing proto-
cols 1 week before the initiation of tbe actual study to
insure that maximal isometric and dynamic attempts
 FORCE-TIME CURVE CHARACTERISTICS OF MUSCLE ACTIONS 743

TABLE 1. Competitive lifting and vertical jump performance data.

Athletes' percentage of
Competitive lifting national records by lift and
performance overall rank b>• weight class Countermovement vertical
Clean Clean jump (CVJ) Static vertical jump
Snatch and jerk Total Snatch and jerk Total PP? PP Disp. PP PPt Dispt
Subject (kg) (kg) (kg) <kg) (kg) (kg) Rank (W) (W-kg ') (m) (W) (W-kg ') (m)
I 95.0 125.0 220,0 0.74 0.78 0.77 3 3,886.5 45.4 0.34 3,783.3 44.2 0.32
2 95.0 112.5 207.5 0.93 0.90 0.91 1 3,455.3 43.4 0.31 3,449.3 43.3 0.31
3^^^ 82.5 92.5 175.0 0.94 0.79 0.86 3 3,262.7 49.4 0.38 3,101.8 47.0 0.36
4 102.5 125.0 227.5 0.80 0.78 0.80 2 5,021.4 42.0 0.27 4.818.0 40.3 0.24
5^^ 82.5 102.5 185.0 0.94 0.93 0.94 2 3,365.7 41.4 0.29 3.156.3 38.8 0.25
6^^ 87.5 112.5 200.0 0.90 1.00 0.96 1 2,977.9 40.3 0.28 2.838.3 38.4 0.26
Mean 90.8 111.7 202.5 0.87 0.84 0.86 2.20 3,661.6 43.7 0.31 3.524.5 42.0 0.29
SD 8.0 12.7 20.1 0.09 0.07 0.07 0.84 728.9 3.3 0.04 711.5 3.4 0.05
'•' Athletes are juniors; performance rankings are based on junior standards,
t = Significantly different from the CVJ ip < 0.01).
t PP - peak power; Disp -- vertical displacement.

were completed. A standardized warm-up based upon
previous literature looking at force-time curve character-
istics was utilized (10). The position for each dynamic and
isometric pull was established before each trial with the
use of goniometry. Once the position was established sub-
jects were strapped to the bar with previously estabhshed
methods (10). With each trial subjects were instructed to
pull as hard and as fast as possible. These commands
were selected on the basis of previous research that has
suggested that the use of these instructions produces op-
timal results for maximal force and rate of force devel-
opment (3, 26). Each subject performed 4 isometric trials
and 2 trials of each of the 2 dynamic tests (8 total mid-
thigh puils). Subjects were given 3 minutes between each
trial. The average of the 2 trials was used for the analysis
of all measurements. Test-retest reliability for the PF
and PRFD was determined to be interclass correlation
(ICC) = 0.98 and ICC - 0.81. respectively.
For the vertical jump tests, subjects performed a spe-
cific warm-up consisting of a dynamic warm-up, which
lasted approximately 3 minutes, and was similar to pro-
cedures reported in the scientific literature (20, 30). A
total of 8 vertical jumps (4 static [lj and 4 countermove-
ment jumps 121) were performed during each testing ses-
sion. All vertical jumps were performed on a 61 X 91.4
cm switch mat (Tapeswitch. Farmingdale. NT) interfaced
with a microcomputer witb tbe subjects' hands placed on
hips procedure (13). This method of vertical jumping was
selected in an attempt to minimize technique differences
and focus on leg and hip explosiveness (16, 36). Before
each jumping protocol each subject performed 2 practice
jumps. Once the practice jumps were completed tbe sub-
jects' 2 maximal trials were measured for each condition.
When testing the static vertical jump subjects were in-
structed to hold a knee angle of 90" {determined by tester
observation) for a 3-count duration. Test-retest reliability
for vertical jump displacement was ICC = 0.98 (n ^ 128,
CMJ) and ICC - 0.96 in - 128, SJ).
Maximal vertical jump displacement was determined
from flight time using tbe following formula:
Vertical jump displacement
g X flight time X flight time
where g represents gravity and flight time is measured
in seconds. Once the vertical displacement was calculat-
ed; peak power was estimated via the use of the Sayers
equation (27).
PP (W) = (60.7) X (jump height, cm)
-I- 45.3 X body mass - 2,055
The Sayer equation was selected because gender does not
bias the results and peak power estimates from static and
countermovement jumps are considered very small (17,
27). Additionally, simultaneous measurements of jump
performance on switch mat and force plate as assessed by
flight time has produced high interclass correlations (ICC
= 0.99) for both CMJ and SJ.
Maximal snatch and clean and jerk data were collect-
ed at a major national competition.
Statistical Analyses
Force-time curves were analyzed during isometric and
dynamic muscle actions with tbe methods reported by
Haffet ai. (10). The isometric variables analyzed were the
isometric PRFD development (IPRFD) and isometric peak
force (IPF). The dynamic lifting variables measured for
each pulling condition (3O'/f IPF. and 100 kg) were the
dynamic peak force, dynamic PRFD, dynamic peak pow-
er, and the barbell velocity.
The vertical jump displacements were determined and
analyzed for each of tbe 2 jumping conditions.
Simple regression analyses were used to add a de-
scriptive view of the relationships between selected iso-
metric and dynamic muscle action parameters. Signifi-
cant differences between selected force-time curve anal-
yses were determined with tbe use of an analysis of var-
iance procedure (ANOVA). When significant F values
were found ip < 0.05), paired f-tests in conjunction with
the Holm's Bonferroni method for controlling type I errors
was performed (18). All data are presented as mean ± SD
and were analyzed with SPSS 11.0 (SPSS, Chicago, IL.).
RESULTS
Several dynamic and isometric muscle actions were ana-
lyzed for force-time curve characteristics. The results of the
744 HAFF, CAHLOCK, HARTMAN ET AL.

force-time curve analyses for both isometric and dynamic

) (m-s ')
muscle actions are presented in Table 1 and Table 2. o
O
Ol CO
CD CD CM
Ol
o
The correlations achieved hetween the isometric and o I-H
o o o GO T-H o O
T-H
o
dynamic muscle actions are presented in Tables 3-5. Very
strong correlations were found between the CMJ peak o CM o o 00 in CD
power and IPF (r - 0.88, r^ - 0.77) and isometric RFD (r

15
CL Ol Ol CM o o
CO t- CD
= 0.81, r'^ = 0.66). When considering the correlations be- CD

tween the isometric muscle actions and the SJ it was de- o o o O o o

termined that the PP during the SJ was very strongly to
i

310
170

107
89.'^

113
750

721
-H-

408
PH
nearly perfectly correlated with the IPF (r = 0.92, r^ = CL
0.85) and the IRFD (r = 0.84, r^ - 0.71). Nearly perfect
correlations were also found between the IPF and mid-
s CO CD CO CD CO T-H

thigh pull at 30% IPF (r = 0.96, p < 0.01), mid-thigh pull o o O o o O o CO

CO J,

ull at

931
954
672
880

283
840

423

445
RFD
at 100 kg (r = 0.99, r'^ = 0.98), and the maximum snatch

(N-s
(r = 0.93, H = 0.86). Very strong correlations were deter- CO oo CO CD o
CM (N
mined between the IRFD and the snatch (r = 0.79, r'^ ^ I-H I-H

0.62), clean and jerk (r = 0.69, r' = 0.48), and the com-
hined total of the snatch and clean and jerk (r = 0.80, p * CO CM CO CD Ol CM
CO CM T-H i-H C O
CD
lO
en
< 0.05). The PP achieved during the 100-kg pull trial was CO CO CO CO CO
strongly to very strongly correlated with the snatch (r ^
0.83, r'' - 0.69), clean and jerk (r - 0.54, r^ = 0.29), and o O o ooo QO CO
the competitive total (r = 0.68, r'^ ^ 0.46). Additionally,

775
724

302

523
*

364

758

961
848
Z
strong to very strong correlations were determined be- CL
CM CO CM CO CM
tween the PRFD during the 100-kg pull trial and the
snatch (r - 0.82, r' = 0.67), clean and jerk ir - 0.51, r^ t- -D- (M CM 00 Ol
= 0.26), and the competitive total ir = 0.69, r'^ = 0.48).
In examining the PF values the ANOVA revealed sig-
Is CO CO CO
o T-H
o I-H
1-H O
T-H I-H o T-H
TH o

nificant differences between conditions ip < 0.02, T]^ =

GO Ol o Ol 00 c-- o
0.87). The IPF was significantly greater ip <. 0.01, t)^ = PH

37
CO I-H CM o in I ? -
0.82) than the PF generated in the 30% IPF trial. No sig- PH
CO
CO CO co
nificant difference was determined between the PF in the
100-kg pull trials and the IPF or PF generated during the o o O ooo CO CD

781
910
891

774 989
344
'^ Ol
30% IPF trial. The ANOVA suggested that there was a O.
OH
OH
CD
O
CD
CO
significant difference ip < 0.01, T|^ ^ 0.91) hetween the u CM CO CO CM CO
PF per body mass (BM) (PF/kg) in the 3 conditions. Fol- 's
low-up paired comparisons revealed that the PF/kg dur- to
o
QI
o o o o O o
ing the isometric test was significantly greater ip < 0.01,
FDt

881
329
971
769
880

784

450
803
T)^ = 0.90) than the PF/kg 30% of the isometric pull trial bn

and the 100-kg pull trial ip < 0.02, T]^ = 0.74). No signif- p:S (M
00 o CO CM
o CM I-H 1-H CM
icant differences were determined between the PF/BM o C'l
I-H

during the 30% of the isometric trial and the 100-kg pull * ~bD CO oo O 00 1^ . . as
trial. ^ C^ ID
(N-k

37

CO CM CM I-H t—
PH CO CO CO CO q q n3
Significant difference ip < 0.02, t]^ = 0.88) between o o o
cteristies

the PRFDs of the 3 pull trials was indicated by the o O oc o o CO CD

ANOVA. Follow-up tests indicated that the IPRFD was
9H1
775

911
344

083
786
706

368

significantly less than the PRFD during the 30% isomet-

ric pull trial PRFD (p < 0.01, "n^ = 0.81) and 100-kg pull
CL
§ CM CO CM CO CM (N CO

trial ip < 0.01, T]^ = 0.88). The difference in the PRFD «

generated during the 30% isometric pull trial and 100-kg u oo O oo O CM CO

ull

O II
912

742
593

026

997
704

900

879

pull trial approached statistical significance {p = 0.06, T|^ Q

- 0.54). a
u CD CO CM CD CM CO T-H
When comparing the peak powers achieved during the S ;—1

30%; isometric pull trial, the 100-kg pull trial, the CMJ,
d
C eB
and the SJ, the ANOVA revealed no significant difference "O
u
xf •c
CL
— b£ CD
(N CM
O
•-H T-H
CM 00 O CO lO
T-H o o
M +
between the 4 power values ip > 0.05, TI^ ^ 0.85). When lO CO
n c
converting the power measure to a per kilogram measure
(0
Io
TIC

(PP/kg) the ANOVA revealed a significant (p < 0.05, T]^ O o O oo O CM CO

I g
100
190
627

026

953
666

Ol -^
- 0.92) difference between the conditions. Follow-up tests CL •^ CM 4J *.< +J
CD 00 d c 2
indicated that the PP/kg generated during the CMJ was m
1—1
o CO in CO CO n ca g
u o g
significantly greater ip < 0.01, -ri^ = 0.79) than the PP/kg
generated during the SJ. No other significant differences +-i 5c
be bD
were noted between the PP/kg generated. <D
CM CO
Mean

135' T-H CD II ^
When considering the difference between the velocity CO " I—I
H- -i-i-
for the 30% of isometric peak force and the 100-kg pull
 FORCE-TIME CURVE CHARACTERISTICS OF MUSCLE ACTIONS 745

TABLE 3. Correlations (r) between isometric and dynamic muscle actions.

Isometric mid-thigh clean pull
Peak force Peak force PRFDI:
Dynamic muscle actions (N) (N-kg ') (N-s ')
Countermovement vertical jump
Displacement (m) -0.34 0.39 0.05
Peak power (W) 0.88* -0.04 0.81*
Peak power (W-kg ') -0.19 0.38 0.15
Static vertical jump
Displacement (m) -0.28 0.57 0.06
Peak power (Wl 0.92* 0.04 0.84*
Peak power (W-kg ') -0.04 0.59 0.24
Mid-thigh pull 30% IPF
Peak power (Wl 0.71 0.16 0.13
Peak power (W-kg ') 0.19 0.37 0.42
Peak force (N) 0.96t 0.42 0.62
Peak force (N-kg ') -0.08 0.83^ -0.25
PRFD (Ns ') 0,45 0.64 0.71
Velocity (m-s ') -0.12 0.27 -0.51
Mid-thigh pull 100 kg
Peak power (W) 0.93t 0.33 0.52
Peak power (W-kg ') -0.48 0.62 0.66
Peak force (N) 0.99t 0.32 0.60
Peak force (N-kg M -0.47 0.63 0.66
PRFD (N-s ') 0.79 0.76 0.65
Velocity (m-s ') 0.80* 0.17 0.17
Maximum snatch (kg) 0.93t 0.28 0.79
Maximum clean and jerk (kg) 0.64 -0.09 0.69
Maximum combined total (kg) 0.80* 0.08 0.80*
* Significant at p < 0.05.
X PRFD = peak rate of force development; IPF = isometric peak force.
j Significant at p < 0.01;

TABLE 4. Correlations (r) between dynamic muscle actions and vertical jump variables.
Countermovement vertical jump Static vertical jump
Dynamic muscle action Peak power Displacement Peak power Displacement
Mid-thigh pull
30% IPF
Peak power (W) 0.57 -0.56 0.57 -0.55
Peak power (W-kg 0.07 -0.26 0.07 -0.21
Peak force (N) 0.84* -0.20 0.87* -0.16
Peak force (N kg-^) 0.34 0.66 -0.29 0.75
PRFDt (N-s •) 0.34 0.51 0.42 0.62
Velocity (m-s"') 0.36 -0.15 -0.35 0.09
100 kg
Peak power (W) 0.82* -0.44 0.85* 0.39
Peak power (W-kg 0.75 0.54 -0.71 0.63
Peak force (N) 0.85* -0.42 0.88* -0.37
Peak force (N-kg ') 0.75 0.53 -0.71 0.63
PRFD (N-s ') 0.53 0.09 0.61 0.25
Velocity (m-s ') 0.61 -0.71 0.62 -0.66
Competitive lifts
Snatch (kg) 0.82* -0.34 0.87* -0,25
Clean and jerk (kg) 0.60 -0.59 0.63 0.49
Comhined total (kg) 0.75 -0.44 0.79 -0.34
* Significant at p < 0.05.
t PRFD - peak rate of force development.
746 HAFF, CARLOCK, HARTMAN ET AI..

TABLE 5. Correlations ir) between dynamic pulling motions erature for elite weightlifters in which actual lifting per-
and competitive lifting performance. formance has been correlated to isometric muscle actions
Competi- (13). Hakkinen, Komi, and Kaubanen (13) have reported
Snatcb Clean and tive total that IPF is correlated to clean and jerk ir = 0.66, p <
Variable (kg) jerk ikg) (kg) 0.01) and snatch (r = 0.47, p < 0.05) performance when
30% IPF examining elite weightlifters from Finland. Additionally,
Peak power (W) 0.44 0.23
Stone et al. (29) have reported very strong relationships
0.28
Peak power (W-kg ') -0.13 -0.30 -0.30
ir = 0.94-0.98) between IPF and maximal weight lifted
Peak force (N) 0.79 0.43 0.61 in the snatcb witb well-trained collegiate throwers. In-
Peak force (N-kg ') -0.24 -0.60 -0.45 terestingly, IPF was also correlated to actual shot put (r
PRFD (N-s '1 0.59 0.34 0.52 - 0.67-0.75) and weight bag throw (r = 0.70-0.79) per-
Velocity (m-s ') -0.38 -0.36 -0.48 formance. It is important to note that Stone et al. (29)
100 kg
utilized a mid-thigh clean pull that involved the same ex-
act methodologies as tbe present study. On the basis of
Peak power (W) 0.83* 0.54 0.68 the data presented in the present study and the studies
Peak power (W-kg ') -0.55 -0.72 -0.68
Peak force (N) 0.88* 0.59 0.74
by Stone et al. (29) and Hakkinen, Komi, and Kauhanen
Peak force (N-kg ') -0.54 -0.71 -0.67 (13), isometric strength (i.e., IPF) is strongly related to
PRFDt (N-s ') 0.82* 0.51 0.69 the ability to produce force dynamically. This ability may
Velocity (m-s') 0.65 0.46 0.52 partially be explained by the type and duration of train-
ing used by strength power athletes such as weigbtlifters
* Significant at p < 0.05. (29).
t PRFD = peak rate of force development.
Because the traditional methodology for training
weigbtlifters centers around the utilization of explosive
trials it was determined that there was no significant dif- exercises performed witb various intensities, this rela-
ference between the conditions (p > 0.05, TI^ = 0.45). tionship may not be totally unexpected (15). Since weigbt-
lifters use a training modality that varies between low-
DISCUSSION force/bigh-velocity, high-force/low-velocity, and high-
The primary finding of the present investigation is that force/hi gb-velocity movements during a training year, one
the selected force-time curve parameters from the iso- might expect an optimization of tbe force-time curve in
metric muscle actions yielded very strong to nearly per- tbat IPF and IRFD would be interrelated (11). In tbe pre-
fect correlations with dynamic muscle actions. Of partic- sent study the IPF and IRFD were very strongly corre-
ular interest is that selected force-time curve parameters lated (r ^ 0.70, r'^ = 0.49), thus lending support to the
from the isometric muscle action were strongly correlated contention that weightlifters rely on a combination of PF
with actual competitive lifting performance in these elite and RFD wben performing isometric or dynamic muscle
athletes. actions.
The moderate to strong correlations found between It is common knowledge that weightlifting movements
the dynamic and isometric muscle action in the present produce very high power outputs (11). McBride et al. (21)
study agree with the findings of Haff et al. (10) and Stone have reported tbat weightlifters tend to be able to pro-
et al. (29). Previous findings (10, 29) and those of the pre- duce high PF and higb PRFDs, which may account for
sent study are at least in part a result of the researchers' their ability to produce high power outputs. In the pre-
efforts to insure that the vertical components of the ac- sent study strong relationships were determined between
tivities are similar. Murphy et al. (24) have suggested the IPF and peak power during mid-thigh pull at 30% of
that the extent of the relationship hetween the isometric IPF and mid-thigh pull at 100 kg. Tbe results of tbe pre-
and dynamic muscle action varies as a function of the sent study are comparable to tbose reported by HafF et
angle being measured. Several other studies have shown al. (10) in which moderate to strong correlations between
that isometric muscle actions are poorly correlated with IPF and peak powers are generated during mid-thigh
dynamic muscle actions (22, 34). In one study running clean pulls with various intensities.
performance was not correlated with force-time curve pa- Haffet al. (10) have suggested that vertical jump per-
rameters generated from an isometric leg extension (22). formance may have a 25%i dependence on RFD and PF
In another study, Wilson et al. (34) found poor correla- (kinetic variables). This would suggest that some inter-
tions between force-time curve parameters, generated relation between IRFD and jumping ability might be ex-
from an isometric squat, and sprinting performance. In pected (33). However, tbe present study has determined
the present study and previous studies using the isomet- tbat poor correlations exist between tbe IRFD and CMJ
ric mid-thigh clean pulls the knee and hip angles were ir = 0.05) and SJ (r = 0.06) displacements in tbis group
matched to the position utilized in the dynamic mid-thigh of competitive weightlifters. The findings for the CMJ are
clean pull (10). Haffet al. (10) determined that moderate strikingly similar to those presented in the literature (10,
to strong correlations existed between PF and RFD char- 34, 37), whereas the SJ results are distinctly different
acteristics of dynamic clean pulls performed at various from that reported in the literature (10, 34). Indeed, Haff
intensities (80%, 90%, and 100% of 1 repetition maximum et al. (10) have previously reported very strong relation-
[lRM]). Haffet al. (10) suggested that the position of the ships between IRFD and SJ performance (r = 0.83) in
isometric task influenced the correlations found in their experienced male strength athletes. Wilson et al. (34) sug-
study. gest tbat the RFD is poorly correlated with performance
In the present study actual lifting performance was involving stretch-shortening cycles (SSC). However, PP/
strongly correlated to both the IPF and the IRFD. These kg (mid-thigh pull) showed moderate to strong correla-
findings are similar to those reported in the scientific lit- tions with jump PP. Furthermore, very strong correla-

tions were noted between both isometric and dynamic
RFD and the PP produced in the jumps (Table 1). This
finding indicates that measures of isometric and concen-
tric strength and especially "explosive strength" (PRFD)
are associated with high power outputs in hoth static and
countermovement (i.e., SSC) jumps. Carlock et al. (7)
have shown strong correlations hetween the peak power
produced in the vertical jump, measures of maximum
strength (IRM squat), and weightlifting ability for both
men and women. Thus, it is not surprising that in the
present study strong correlations were found hetween the
IPF, IRFD, and actual weightlifting performance, which
use a SSC.
The present study seems to suggest that when the
body position(s) are similar between the isometric and dy-
namic tasks, the correlation is likely to be higher. Addi-
tionally, it appears that the ahility to generate high power 5. BEMREN, M.G., B.H. MASSEY, D.A. BEMISEN, J.E. MI.SNEK, AND
outputs is intimately related to the ability to generate
high IPF and IRFD. The data also suggest that the IPF
and DPF share some structural and functional foundation
with the ahility to generate force rapidly.
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
It has been well documented that many sports require
athletes to generate high RFD, power outputs, and forc-
es. In an attempt to improve these neuromuscular char-
acteristics it is often suggested tbat the use of explosive
exercises such as the snatch and clean and jerk he used
in the training programs of athletes. The relationship
hetween neuromuscular adaptations, preparedness for
performance, and actual competitive performance is of-
ten considered difficult to test. The present study sug-
gests that isometric and vertical jump tests may serve
as a means for evaluating the athletes' neuromuscular
preparedness for weigbtlifting competition. Since fre-
quent maximum attempts during tbe training of weigh-
tlifters can lead to overtraining and is somewhat im-
practical from a training perspective, it might he war-
ranted to implement vertical jump and isometric mid-
thigh pull testing on a periodic basis throughout tbe
periodized training plan of the weightlifter. This prac-
tice will give the athlete and coach some insight into tbe
neuromuscular adaptations and preparedness for com-
petition that has occurred in response to the athletes'
training program.
Coaches may also find the isometric mid-thigh clean
pull test useful in the practice of talent identification.
Since the neuromuscular characteristics of strength pow-
er athletes are well documented tbis test may give the
coach a clear picture of the athletes' neuromuscular char-
acteristics as represented by tbe force—time curve char-
acteristics. However, it is important to note tbat this
practice has not heen validated in the scientific literature
and warrants more detailed exploration.
Although the present study focuses on the use of the
mid-thigh clean pull test and competitive weigbtlifting, it
is likely tbat tbe data taken form the present study can
be coupled with other puhlished data hy Stone et al. (29)
to suggest that this test would be useful in evaluating
athletes from other sports that rely on tbe expression of
explosive power. Even though the present data look
promising it is important to note that more scientific in-
quiry is necessary to determine the value of this isometric
mid-thigh clean pull test.
FoRCi--TiMir: CuRvi- CHARACTERISTICS OF MUSCI-H ACTIONS 747
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Address correspondence to G. Gregory HafT, ghaff@hsc.
wvu.edu.