Comparison of 2- and 3-Minute Inter-Repetition Rest Periods on Maximal Jerk Technique and Power Maintenance

• Published in: Research quarterly for exercise and sport Vol. 90; no. 3; pp. 287 - 296
• Main Authors: Ammar, Achraf, Riemann, Bryan L., Trabelsi, Khaled, Blaumann, Marcel, Abdelkarim, Osama, Chtourou, Hamdi, Driss, Tarak, Hökelmann, Anita
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Routledge 03.07.2019
• Subjects: Adult; Athletes; Athletics; Biomechanical Phenomena; Competitive Behavior - physiology; Hip - physiology; Human Body; Humans; Kinematic; kinetic; Kinetics; Knee - physiology; Male; Motion; Motor Skills - physiology; Outcome Measures; Physical Activity Level; Repetition; Resistance Training - methods; Rest; strength; Time and Motion Studies; Time Factors; Weight Lifting - physiology; weightlifting; Young Adult; weightlifting; Kinematic; strength; kinetic
• ISSN: 0270-1367; 2168-3824; 2168-3824
• DOI: 10.1080/02701367.2019.1594664

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of 3- vs. 2-minute inter maximal-repetition rest period (IMRRP) on maintaining jerk technical efficiency and power production during two successive maximal repetitions of Clean & Jerk (C&J). Methods: In a randomized, within subject, repeated measures design, nine elite-weightlifters (age: 24.4 ± 3.6 years, body mass: 77.2 ± 7.1 kg, height 176.0 ± 6.4 cm and 1RM C&J: 170.0 ± 5.0 kg) performed 2-separate testing sessions using 2 (IMRRP-2) and 3 (IMRRP-3) -minute IMRRP, while barbell kinematics and kinetics and joint kinematics were recorded. Results: Statistical analysis showed that one minute longer IMRRP enhanced the maintenance of optimal jerk technique evidenced by reducing declines in peak vertical barbell displacement (2.74%; p = .03), peak barbell velocity (2.89%; p = .03), and peak knee (1.61%; p = .03) and hip extensions (1.59%; p = .03) during the drive phase of the jerk. Additionally, IMRRP-3 led to maintaining optimal lifting strategy by reducing the increase in horizontal displacement during the descending (3.85%; p = .04) and ascending (5.42%; p = .02) phases. Increasing IMRRP from 2min to 3min was also shown to enhance kinetic variables evidenced by prompting higher peak vGRF (2.01%; p = .04) and power (2.55%; p = .04). Conclusion: To better identify an athlete's maximal jerk technique and power maintenance, the results of this study suggest 3min as more appropriate IMRRP during successive C&J at 100% 1RM.