Effect of different set configurations on barbell trajectories during the power snatch

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effect of different set configurations on barbell trajectories during a series of power snatch sets. Ten strength-power athletes (height: 1.78 ± 0.09 m, body mass: 88.7 ± 14.3 kg, age: 28.9 ± 4.8 years) with at least 6 months of training experience performing the power snatch participated in this study. Each participant completed three experimental protocols as part of a randomized repeated measures design. The three protocols tested were a traditional, cluster, and ascending cluster set protocol where training loads were increased across the repetitions contained within each set. All protocols required each participant to perform the power snatch with three sets of five repetitions at an average load of 75% of one-repetition maximum. Three-dimensional barbell trajectories were recorded using a motion capture system during each set protocol. Participants maintained barbell trajectories within each set of both traditional and cluster protocols. This result indicates that higher intensities (>75% of one-repetition maximum) than those used in this study should be used when using cluster sets that are designed to maximize the benefits of cluster sets for maintaining barbell trajectories during a series of power snatch sets performed for five repetitions. Additionally, participants displayed an increased barbell loop at the first repetition during the ascending cluster protocol. Therefore, coaches should only use this programming strategy for highly trained athletes who have already developed proper weightlifting technique to avoid a suboptimal barbell trajectory during the power snatch training session.