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Key words: first pull; second knee bend; second pull; high
pull; peak power; power endurance.
Power-Endurance Production
Another quality that can be devel-
oped through the use of the pulls
is power endurance (PE). PE refers
to the ability to exert fairly high
power outputs over an extended
Figure 3. Second pull.
period of time while resisting fa-
tigue; athletes involved in these
types of activities need to have ad-
the snatch and clean should help ing to Yessis (22), an athlete can equate levels of PE (3). Certain
to develop proper power produc- perform a snatch pull with the sprinters in track and field, row-
tion by ensuring complete and barbell starting at approximately ers, and swimmers are required to
rapid extension of the lower body. knee level and ending at hip level work in a PE realm. These athletes
with 110–120% of the maximum can also benefit from the pulling
■ Implications for Training weight used in his or her classical motion being integrated into their
Peak Power Production
When deciding the weightlifting
pull’s place in a training program,
peak power production should be
addressed first. Peak power refers
to the highest amount of power an
individual can produce. An athlete
who requires very high power out-
puts in a very short time period
would need to train for peak power
development. This includes, but is
not limited to, track and field
throwers and sprinters, American
football players, basketball play-
ers, and volleyball hitters.
One point to consider in using
the snatch and clean pulls in the
quest for heightened peak power
production lies in the fact that the
loads used in training may be
greater than the athlete’s 1RM (1
repetition maximum) in the re-
Figure 4. Second knee bend not being performed.
spective classical exercise. Accord-
■ Conclusion
Snatch and clean pulls may help
to increase sport-specific power
for athletes in various sports. They
can be used to help improve peak
power output and PE when they
are adjusted to fit the needs of the
Figure 6. High Pull. athlete. But, the pulls done by
themselves should not be a re-
placement for the classical and
exercise. In choosing these repeti- High Pull power styles of the snatch and
tions to time intervals, the follow- Whether training for peak power clean. The use of the pulls should
ing example may act as a guide- production or PE, another varia- not replace the “complete” move-
line. If a track and field sprinter’s tion that can be added to the pulls ments but rather be used to com-
best time is 50 seconds in the 400 involves a high pull. Once the end plement them. There are many
m, the coach may want to begin of the second pull is achieved, the benefits to be gained from the
the athlete’s pulling time at 15–20 athlete bends the arms by flexing snatch and clean done either in
seconds. As the athlete begins to the elbows (Figure 6). An impor- the classical (full squat) or power
adapt to the style of training, the tant point to consider in perform- (partial squat) style other than
times and number of sets should ing the high pull is to make sure power/speed-strength develop-
be progressively increased through- that the entire SP is completed be- ment including, but not limited to,
out the conversion to power phase fore allowing the elbows to bend. balance, coordination, flexibility,
until 48–50 seconds is reached. The complete lower body ex- and overall athleticism.
Research is needed to develop nor- tension and shoulder elevation As illustrated, there are
mative data on appropriate repeti- should initiate the arms bending phases within an athlete’s peri-
tions per a given time interval. and pulling the barbell to near the odized program where the pulls
Due to the high demands clavicle in the snatch high pull or can be useful (i.e., conversion to
being placed on the body in using near the nipple line in the clean power). The use of the pulls can
this style of training, the rest in- high pull. enhance the effectiveness of using
tervals need to be quite long. The position of the elbows in weightlifting and the associated
Bompa (3) recommends an 8–10- the high pull is of importance. The Olympic-style lifts in sport devel-
minute rest interval between sets athlete should concentrate on opment programs by ensuring
during PE training. Using the having the elbows pointing that optimal power production is
timed exercise bouts and ade- straight up at the end point of the achieved. Their use can add vari-
quate rest periods allow this high pull. Lack of shoulder flexibil- ety and specificity to an already
method of pulling to be quite sport ity may inhibit the athlete’s ability sound training program. ▲
specific. The time allowed and en- to elevate the elbows in this man-
ergy systems used should provide ■ References
ner, but this can be improved over
ample stimulus for PE improve- time with the use of the high pulls 1. Ajan, T., and L. Baroga.
ment. plus additional shoulder mobility Weightlifting: Fitness for All