Longitudinal Associations Between Isometric Peak Force in Key Pull Positions With Weightlifting Performance in International-Level Female Weightlifters.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the longitudinal associations between peak force (PF) in the isometric start position pull (ISPP), isometric transition position pull (ITPP), and isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) with weightlifting performance. METHODS: A retrospective longitudinal analysis was conducted using isometric assessment and performance data collected over a period of up to 3 years from 7 international-level female weightlifters (age 26.8 [7.4] y; body mass 59.9 [7.0] kg). The dependent variables were absolute (Total) and allometrically scaled competition performance (Totala). The independent variables were absolute (ISPP, ITPP, IMTP) and allometrically scaled (ISPPa, ITPPa, IMTPa) PF in the 3 pull positions and Time (3-mo intervals). Separate linear mixed models were used to examine their longitudinal associations. RESULTS: The ISPP and ISPPa showed significant positive associations with Total and Totala (P < .01), explaining 31% and 12% of the variance. Time as a fixed factor was not significant (P > .05), and reduced models (omitting Time) explained greater variance of 45% and 18%, respectively. The ITPP, IMTP, ITPPa and IMTPa were not significant in full models, yet reduced models identified these as significant predictors (P < .05) but with poorer model fit. CONCLUSIONS: The ISPP demonstrates the strongest and most stable longitudinal predictor of weightlifting performance, supporting its use as a primary assessment for monitoring performance changes.