Analysis of Pre-Competition Warm-up Protocols and Their Progressions in the Snatch Movement in Weightlifting Athletes

Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to analyze the load progression patterns in pre-competition warm-up protocols, compare potential differences between sexes, and evaluate the relationship between these patterns and competitive performance in the snatch movement among weightlifters.

Methods

An observational, analytical, cross-sectional design was employed with 43 weightlifters (22 men and 21 women) participating in the 2023 ASCUN National University Championship (Colombia). The pre-competitive warm-up protocols for the snatch movement were recorded through video recordings and manual annotations, evaluating the progression of the load related to the volume from the number of sets and repetitions and the best performance in the competition (BPC). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics to identify patterns, explore differences between sexes, and determine the relationship between warm-up protocols and competitive performance.

Results

The 83.72% of the athletes began their warm-up in the technical preparation zone (< 60% BPC), progressing to explosive loads (≤ 85%) and power loads (> 85%). Men showed significantly larger load increases in the early stages (20 kg vs. 10 kg in women; P < 0.001), although there were no differences in the maximum relative intensity achieved (P = 0.88). Multiple regression analyses revealed sex-specific predictors: maximum warm-up load was the strongest performance predictor for men (β = 0.75, P < 0.001), while women’s performance was best explained by combined effects of maximum load and relative peak intensity (R² = 0.994). The most frequent progression pattern was stepwise-linear (32.56%). Higher load increases and sets correlated negatively with performance (ρ = −0.39 and − 0.35; P < 0.05).

Conclusions

These findings support the need to individualize warm-ups based on sex-specific predictors (absolute loads for men, combined absolute/relative intensities for women), while avoiding excessive volumes that could induce pre-competitive fatigue.

Keywords

Warm-up exercise / Body temperature / Weightlifting / Musculoskeletal system / Athletes

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