Master of sports of international class in weightlifting, Associate Professor R.V. Khomenko1¹
Master of Sports in Athletics E.V. Antropova¹
PhD, Associate Professor V.Y. Kokin^1
1South Ural State University (National Research University), Chelyabinsk

Keywords: individualization, elite weightlifter, load, precompetitive training, special fitness.

Background. As things now stand in elite sports, top competitive accomplishments are increasingly difficult and rare in many sports, particularly in individual sports including weightlifting, as verified by the relevant measurable competitive success rates that lately sagged to 10-20% [2, 3]. The initiatives to improve the competitive success rates give a special priority to the precompetitive period viewed as a separate phase in every training system designed to help the athlete attain the highest fitness on time for the best possible competitive success in the upcoming event(s).

The precompetitive training process individualisation issues are particularly critical for the sport disciplines that require a wide range of special physical qualities and abilities for success, including strength-intensive sports in general and weightlifting sport in particular. Lately in some study reports a growing attention has been given to athletic training process individualisation systems [1, 3-7] that have considered general concepts and practical aspects of the training system individualisation models. However, a few important matters related to the programmatic and technological provisions for the latter still remain underexplored in application to specific sport disciplines and training system designs and content, including the precompetitive training phase.

Objective of the study was to provide theoretical grounds for the highly-skilled weightlifters’ precompetitive training individualization technology.

Methods and structure of the study. Practical competitive success in top-ranking events largely depends on the progress attained for the whole prior training period in general and the latest precompetitive training period in particular. Practical designs of the precompetitive training phase are mostly determined by the actual fitness level of each athlete prior to this phase and usually composed of specific micro-cycles (MC) to efficiently improve special fitness, speed up rehabilitation sub-cycles, prevent fatigue and overstress and facilitate individual adaptation processes. These micro-cycles generally compose a specific meso-cycle or alternatively may be structured as a separate relatively short macro-cycle [3, 7].

The training process must be prudently designed with the training loads closely managed by timeframes, focuses, structures and content with due consideration for the prior educational and training tools and effects, target competitive accomplishments, individual specific fitness level and functionality of each weightlifter prior to and during the precompetitive training period.

The available theoretical data, practical research and accumulated practical experience in the highly-skilled weightlifters’ training process enabled us to offer and implement the highly-skilled weightlifters’ precompetitive training individualization technology with the following components: see Table 1.

Table 1. Basics of the highly-skilled weightlifters’ (n=30) precompetitive training individualization technology

Note: WLC weight lifts, counts; WLP weight lifts in percent (%); AW average weight, %; MC micro-cycle

In practical precompetitive training phases, we found the relevant process design and educational provisions including the timing and sequence of different MC depending on the actual fitness rates, weight categories and gender of the athletes with the relevant training loads ranging in their goals, specific design and volumes so as to ensure the best possible individual fitness being attained right on the time of the target competitive event. The precompetitive training systems were designed to offer different combinations of intensified, supportive and rehabilitative micro-cycles to duly manage and control training and education effects so as to build up top competitive fitness on time. The applied training process variation options and individualisation technologies with the precompetitive training load management profiles were found beneficial as verified by the practical competitive accomplishments of the highly-skilled weightlifters in the top ranking events for the annual cycle. The programmatic and technological provisions for the precompetitive training process individualisation include the prior and current tests to obtain athletic special, technical, functional and mental fitness rates and anthropometrical characteristics. The test data are applied to individualise and customise the training and educational processes so as to build up the target adaptability and attain the target training and competitive fitness rates including the special fitness components and top precompetitive fitness for success; the training process being individualised depending on age, gender, weight category, prior and current special fitness rates and other factors.

We designed and tested in the study process a few fitness test models and methods; provided theoretical and practical grounds for the individualised training model; designed the relevant research and test technology; and developed the design and educational basics for the highly-skilled weightlifters’ precompetitive training individualization technology. Later on the technology was tested in the educational process experiment including its fact-finding and process stages. We tested benefits of the new training model on the whole and its precompetitive training stage in particular with a special emphasis on the practical benefits of the proposed programmatic and technological provisions for the individualised precompetitive training technology. The Study Group and Reference Group under the experiment were composed of the Candidate Masters of Sport, Masters of Sport and World Class Masters of Sport.

Study results and discussion. The wide range of options of the individualised precompetitive training model with every option providing further customization scenarios helped us attain significant benefits as verified by the progress of the Experimental Group (EG) versus Reference Group (RG) subjects, with the latter trained as required by the standard training system: see Table 2.

Table 2. Highly-skilled weightlifters’ (male) progress in special fitness at the precompetitive stage (n=30)

The new training process individualisation and management model resulted in the high special fitness and functionality rates attained by the EG athletes. The EG athletes also showed progress in other aspects as verified by the body composition test; 3D scanning of the backbone; static balance test; and the haemodynamics test. Their performance progress in snatch and jerk was estimated at 8.9% (p<0.05) and 8.0% (p<0.05) on average, respectively; with the technical fitness progress in snatch and jerk making up 15.2% (p<0.01) and 15.0% (p<0.01) on average, respectively.

Conclusion. As demonstrated by our study of the modern athletic training theory and practices, the precompetitive training process individualisation is a top priority in any training system focused on competitive success, with the training being duly individualized to prudently manage loads, fitness and training conditions for the expected competitive success.

References

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7. Khomenko R.V. Individualizatsiya predsorevnovatelnoy podgotovki tyazheloatletov vysokoy kvalifikatsii [Individualization of Pre-Season Training of Elite Weightlifters]. Teoriya i praktika fiz. kultury, 2011, no. 4, pp. 66-68.

Corresponding author: ruslan_0101@mail.ru

Abstract

Objective of the study was to provide theoretical grounds for the highly-skilled weightlifters’ precompetitive training individualization technology. The study was designed to build up the precompetitive training individualization technology with due consideration for the specific fitness progress phases to facilitate the highest competitive fitness being attained based on prudent management of the individual progress paths versus the actual bodily resources of the athletes, their starting performance versus current performance rates, and training loads versus training effects. Based on this approach, we developed a training process individualisation program for application at precompetitive stages. Subject to the study was a variable sample of weightlifters (n=30) fairly close in their fitness and skill levels, aged 17–24 years and qualified Candidate Masters of Sport (n=20) and Masters of Sport (n=10). As demonstrated by our study of the modern athletic training theory and practices, the precompetitive training process individualisation is a top priority in any training system focused on competitive success, with the training being duly individualized to prudently manage workloads, fitness and training conditions for the expected competitive success.