Weightlifting
Weightlifting or weight lifting generally refers to
Olympic weightlifting is a specific type of weightlifting sport practiced at the Olympic Games, commonly referred to simply as "weightlifting". Other weightlifting sports include powerlifting, kettlebell lifting, and para powerlifting—the weightlifting sport practiced at the Paralympic Games. Different weightlifting sports may be distinguished by the different ways of lifting a weight, and/or the objects lifted. Weightlifting events are key elements of strength athletics.
According to an article in The New York Times, lifting weights can prevent some disabilities, increase metabolism, and lower body fat.[2] Using free weights, compared to machines, improves not only strength but muscle function as well.[3]
Weightlifting sports
Competitive weightlifting is believed to pre-date written history. There are records in many civilizations of feats of strength performed by great heroes, perhaps mythological, such as
When in 1896 the modern international Olympic Games began, weight lifting was an event at the first Games; and since 1920 weightlifting has been a regular part of the Olympics.[5][7] By 1932 the Olympic competition comprised three lifts, all of which are different ways of lifting a weighted barbell from ground to overhead: namely the snatch, the clean and jerk, and the clean and press. The snatch is a wide-grip lift, in which the barbell is lifted overhead in one motion. The clean and jerk and the clean and press are combination lifts in which the weight is first taken from the ground to the front of the shoulders (the clean), and then from the shoulders to overhead (the first using a jerk, the second an overhead press).[8][9][10] After 1972 the clean and press was discontinued because of difficulties in judging proper form.[11][12] Today, the snatch and the clean and jerk are together known as the "olympic lifts"; and the sport of weightlifting as practiced at the Olympics can be called "olympic weightlifting" or "olympic-style weightlifting" to distinguish it from other weightlifting sports (wherever it is practiced). Its international governing body is the International Weightlifting Federation, which was founded in 1905.[13]
The 1950s and 1960s saw the sport of powerlifting developing, originating in competitions where athletes competed in different lifting events to those at the Olympics.[citation needed] These different lifts were sometimes called "odd lifts". Previously, the weightlifting governing bodies in the United Kingdom and the United States had recognized various "odd lifts" for competition and record purposes. Eventually these competitions became standardized to three specific lifts: the squat, bench press, and deadlift; and this form of weightlifting sport was given its distinct name of powerlifting, with the International Powerlifting Federation being formed in 1972 to regulate and promote the sport.[14]
In 1964 weightlifting debuted in the Paralympic Games, in the form of the bench press; and since the 1992 Games has been called powerlfiting, specifically Para powerlifting or Paralympic powerlifting.[15]
Weightlifting for strength, health, and appearance
Weightlifting purely to develop physical strength can lead to the development of a very different body type than weightlifting for bodybuilding, with powerlifters and Olympic weightlifters tending to have endo-mesomorphic bodies, and bodybuilders tending to be more mesomorphic.[20] The two main methods of weight lifting to build strength and muscle mass are hypertrophy and overload. Training for muscle size is usually done by achieving hypertrophy which is training with a lighter weight at higher volume or more repetitions. Muscle size increases due to metabolic fibers that result in visible muscle mass growth.[21] Training muscles to build strength is typically achieved by the overload method. Overload involves training with increasing weight at each set. It can also mean increasing volume of repetitions at the same weight for each set. Both overload methods are optimal for building muscle mass and strength, however, lifting heavy weights at a lower volume or less repetitions is very optimal for building strength.[21]
It has historically been observed that weightlifting both for health and for appearance is substantially more common among men than among women. A primary reason for this dichotomy has been a desire among women to avoid developing an appearance that is perceived as physically masculine, with a consequent focus on
Weightlifter injuries
Weightlifters are prone to various injuries, and understanding common lifting weights injuries is crucial for the prevention and effective management of the risk of injury. A study found that the most common weightlifting injuries (64.8%) occurred in the back (especially the lower back), knees, and shoulders.[25]
See also
- Bodybuilding
- CrossFit
- Olympic weightlifting
- Manual handling of loads
- Powerlifting
- Strength athletics
- Strength training
- Strongman
- Two Hands Anyhow
- Unilateral training
References
- ^ See Brian J. Sharkey, Steven E. Gaskill, Fitness and Health (2007), p. 142, "Weightlifting with machines or free weights is the common form of isotonic training".
- ^ "How to Get Strong". www.nytimes.com. Retrieved 2023-02-22.
- ^ Schott, N., Johnen, B., & Holfelder, B. (2019). Effects of free weights and machine training on muscular strength in high-functioning older adults. Experimental Gerontology, 122, 15-24. doi:10.1016/j.exger.2019.03.012.
- ^ "Strongest Men in History Hoisted Cattle and Crushed Stones to Show Their Might".
- ^ a b Paciorek, Michael J.; Jones, Jefferey A. (2001). Disability sport and recreation resources. Cooper publishing group.
- ^ Crieff Highland Gathering Archived 2007-12-03 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "The History of Weightlifting". teamUSA.org. 2009-10-02. Archived from the original on 2010-04-12. Retrieved 2009-10-02.
- ^ "Clean and Jerk". exrx.net. Retrieved 15 September 2014.
- ^ "EXPLORING THE BIOMECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WEIGHTLIFTING JERK". academia.edu. Retrieved 15 September 2014.
- ^ "Clean". exrx.net. Retrieved 15 September 2014.
- ISBN 978-0-982-5227-3-8.
- ISBN 0-86720-139-8.
- ^ "About". International Weightlifting Federation. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
- ^ Unitt, Dennis (2019-04-04). "The History of the International Powerlifting Federation". Powerlifting.Sport.
- ^ "Para Powerlifting". British Weight Lifting. Archived from the original on 2022-12-04. Retrieved 2023-01-22.
- ^ "The History of Weightlifting". teamUSA.org. 2009-10-02. Archived from the original on 2010-04-12. Retrieved 2009-10-02.
- ^ "The Complete Guide to Strength Training". search.lib.buffalo.edu. Retrieved 2022-12-01.
- PMID 32760293.
- ^ "Weight Training Intensity or Volume for Bigger Muscles?". Retrieved February 24, 2012.
- ^ P. Bale, and H. Williams, "An anthropometric prototype of female power lifters", Joumal of Sports Medicine, 27 (1987), 191-196.
- ^ a b "Here's Everything You Need to Know to Start Weight Lifting". Verywell Fit. Retrieved 2022-12-01.
- ^ Shari L. Dworkin, "'Holding back': Negotiating a glass ceiling on women's muscular strength", Sociological Perspectives, Vol. 44, No. 3 (2001), p. 333-5.
- S2CID 146171671.
- ^ Times, The Brussels. "Female-only fitness trends see more women take up bodybuilding". www.brusselstimes.com. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
- ^ "Preventing Weightlifter Injuries: Tips for Safe Training". 2023-10-30. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
External links
- The dictionary definition of weightlifting at Wiktionary