Journal article
Using Powerlifting Athletes to Determine Strength Adaptations Across Ages in Males and Females: A Longitudinal Growth Modelling Approach
Sports Medicine, Vol.54, pp.753-774
2024
Abstract
Introduction:
Several retrospective studies of strength sport athletes have reported strength adaptations over months to years; however, such adaptations are not linear.
Methods:
We explored changes in strength over time in a large, retrospective sample of powerlifting (PL) athletes. Specifically, we examined the rate and magnitude of strength adaptation based on age category and weight class for PL competition total, and the squat, bench press, and deadlift, respectively. Mixed effects growth modelling was performed for each operationalised performance outcome (squat, bench press, deadlift, and total) as the dependent variables, with outcomes presented on both the raw, untransformed time scale and on the common logarithmic scale. Additionally, the fitted values were rescaled as a percentage.
Results:
Collectively, the greatest strength gains were in the earliest phase of PL participation (~ 7.5–12.5% increase in the first year, and up to an ~ 20% increase after 10 years). Females tended to display faster progression, possibly because of lower baseline strength. Additionally, female Masters 3 and 4 athletes (> 59 years) still displayed ~ 2.5–5.0% strength improvement, but a slight strength loss was observed in Masters 4 (> 69 years) males (~ 0.35%/year).
Conclusion:
Although directly applicable to PL, these findings provide population-level support for the role of consistent and continued strength training to improve strength across the age span and, importantly, to mitigate, or at least largely attenuate age-related declines in strength compared to established general population norms. This information should be used to encourage participation in strength sports, resistance training more generally, and to support future public health messaging.
Details
- Title
- Using Powerlifting Athletes to Determine Strength Adaptations Across Ages in Males and Females: A Longitudinal Growth Modelling Approach
- Authors
- Christopher Latella (Corresponding Author) - Edith Cowan UniversityDaniel van den Hoek (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Sports & Exercise ScienceMilo Wolf (Author) - Lehman CollegePatroklos Androulakis-Korakakis (Author) - Lehman CollegeJames P Fisher (Author) - Southampton Solent UniversityJames Steele (Author) - Southampton Solent University
- Publication details
- Sports Medicine, Vol.54, pp.753-774
- Publisher
- Adis International Ltd
- DOI
- 10.1007/s40279-023-01962-6
- ISSN
- 1179-2035
- Data Availability
- All data generated or analysed during this study are included within the article or are provided in the supplementary files.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health - Sports & Exercise Science
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99982998202621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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