The effect of load based on body mass percentage on peak power output in the hang power clean, hang high pull, and mid-thigh clean pull

BACKGROUND: Prescribing load at the peak power output (PPO) is one of the strategies utilized to enhance lower-body muscle power. PPO of an exercise is determined based on a relative percentage of the one-repetition maximum test (1RM). However, 1RM tests may be impractical in some weightlifting derivatives. This study aimed to identify the PPO of the hang power clean (HPC), hang high pull (HHP), and mid-thigh clean pull (MTCP) based on a relative percentage of body mass (BM). METHODS: Fifteen males with weightlifting experience performed HPC, HHP, and MTCP at loads ranging from 30-90% BM. Kinematic data were collected through a 16-camera infrared motion capture system and processed based on a three-dimensional lower-extremity model. Ground reaction force (GRF) data were collected from two force plates. PPO was calculated as the product of model center of mass velocity and combined vertical GRF during the concentric phase. RESULTS: PPO occurred at 90% BM for the HPC. In addition, the PPO occurred at 90% BM for the HHP and it was not different than 70% and 80% BM. At last, the PPO for MTCP occurred at 80% BM and it was not different than 60% and 70% BM. CONCLUSIONS: Relative percentages of BM can be used to determine PPO in the HPC, HHP, and MTCP. PPO during HPC is achieved at 90% BM, while the PPO for HHP and MTCP is achieved between 70% to 90% BM and 60 to 80% BM, respectively.