title: Anthropometric and performance variables discriminating elite American junior men weightlifters.
abstract: The purpose of this study is to identify physical and performance variables that discriminate elite American junior-aged men weightlifters from nonelite performers. Using a cross-sectional design, multiple discriminant analysis was used to determine field tests identifying elite male junior weightlifters. Young men who were participants (n = 115) at the Junior National and Junior Olympics Weightlifting Championships volunteered as subjects (mean +/- SD age = 14.8 +/- 2.3 years). Elite weightlifters (n = 20) were identified as the top 17.5% of national-level competitors when weightlifting performances were adjusted for body mass using the Sinclair equation. All other weightlifters were classified as nonelite (n = 95). Test batteries were performed immediately upon completion of a national-level weightlifting competition. Variables measured included easily-administered field tests of physical dimensions and body composition, muscular strength and power, flexibility, and gross motor control. The resulting regression equations correctly classified 84.35% of the weightlifters as elite or nonelite. Five variables significantly contributed to the discriminant analysis (Wilks Lambda = 0.6637392, chi(2) = 44.880, df = 5, p < 0.0001, adjusted R(2) = 0.67). Body mass index accounted for 23.13% of the total variance, followed by vertical jump (22.78%), relative fat (18.09%), grip strength (14.43%), and torso angle during an overhead squat (0.92%). The use of these 5 easily administered field tests is potentially useful as a screening tool for elite American junior men weightlifters.
authors.affiliation: Human Performance Laboratories, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA. afry@memphis.edu
authors.forename: Andrew C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Fry
authors.forename: Dragomir
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ciroslan
authors.forename: Mary D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Fry
authors.forename: Christopher D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: LeRoux
authors.forename: Brian K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Schilling
authors.forename: Loren Z F
authors.initials: LZ
authors.lastname: Chiu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000886:Anthropometry; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016002:Discriminant Analysis; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D014891:Weight Lifting / Q000502:physiology*