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Athletic Ability
Another important benefit of Olympic weightlifting is it teaches the body to fire all the muscle fibers at
once; to explode in a sense (not literally). An 8 week study was done showing the capability of the
Olympic lifts to improve sport performance and vertical jump ability. A study was performed and a group
of lifters did various Olympic lifts (High pulls, Power Clean, and Clean and Jerk), and were compared to
a group using vertical jump exercises (Single and Double Leg Hurdles Hops, Alternated Single-leg
Hurdle Hops, etc) and after the 8 weeks of training the Olympic weightlifting group had significantly
increased their 10 meter sprint speed and their standing jump over the control group using standard
vertical jump exercises (Tricoli). Similarly a 15 week study was also performed using football players and
compared a powerlifting program to an Olympic weightlifting program for athletic performance. After the
15 week study was over the Olympic weightlifting group had a significant improvement in the vertical
jump and 40 meter sprint over the powerlifting group (Hoffman JR). Clearly there are athletic benefits
that come from incorporating weightlifting into a sport training program and similarly Olympic
weightlifters are also known for developing great athletic ability.
Enjoyment Factor
One aspect of Olympic weightlifting that people enjoy is the lifts themselves. People enjoy the feeling of
the barbell being weightless as they drop underneath it or they enjoy the speed that it takes to complete
the lift or maybe they just enjoy mastering a technical skill. For most people there is a larger sense of
satisfaction that comes from successfully hitting a personal best in the snatch or clean and jerk than
finally getting those 19 inch arms or something along those lines.
These are just some of the benefits a person can come to expect from participating in Olympic
weightlifting throughout their life. Hopefully, this also cleared up the ignorance on the safety and injury
aspect of Olympic weightlifting. Participating in Olympic weightlifting is a fun and enjoyable experience
that everyone should get to know.
References:
Conroy, Bp, Wj Kraemer, Cm Maresh, Sj Fleck, Mh Stone, Ac Fry, Pd Miller, and Gp Dalsky. "Bone
Mineral Density in Elite Junior Olympic Weightlifters." (1993): 1103-1109. Medicine and Science in
Sports and Exercise 25 (1993).
Granhed, H. et al. Low back pain among retired wrestlers and heavyweight lifters. The American Journal
of Sports Medicine,16(5):530-533. 1988.
Hamill, B. Relative Safety of Weightlifting and Weight Training. Journal of Strength and Conditioning
Research, 8(1):53-57. 1994
Hoffman, Jr, J Cooper, M Wendell, and J Kang. "Comparison of Olympic Vs. Traditional Power Lifting
Training Programs in Football Players." 18 (2004): 129-135. Journal of Strength and Conditioning
Research 18 (2004).
Stone, M. H., A. C. Fry, M. Ritchie, L. Stoessel-Ross, and J. L. Marsit. Injury potential and safety aspects
of weightlifting movements. Strength and Conditioning. June: 15-21. 1994.
Stone, M.H., et al. Cardiovascular Responses to Short-Term Olympic Style Weight-Training in Young
Men. Can. J. Appl. Sport Sci. 8(3): 134-9.
Stone, M.H. Muscle conditioning and muscle injuries. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 22(4):457-462. 1990.