Powerlifting competitions require consistent and symmetric lifting of heavy loads and maximal effort, in which, asymmetric lifting results in trial invalidation. Symmetry during this very high intensity movement is determinant to athletes’ performance and success in competitions. This study aimed to compare the asymmetry between Conventional Powerlifting athletes (CP) and Paralympic (PP) athletes at intensities of 45 and 80% 1RM before and after a training session. Twenty-two male athletes (11 CP: 29.84 ± 4.21 and 11 PP: 30.81 ± 8.05 years old) participated in this study. Mean Propulsive Velocity (MPV), Maximum Velocity (Vmax) and Power during the concentric and eccentric phases were evaluated at 45%-1RM before and after a training session. For the intensity of 80%-1RM, MPV, Vmax and Power were measured in the first and last series (5 series of 5 repetitions: 5X5) of a training session. PP athletes demonstrated lower velocity and greater symmetry at 45%-1RM, but higher velocity and less asymmetry at 80%-1RM, when compared to CP. The data indicated that PP athletes tend to be slower at lower intensities, faster at higher intensities in absolute values, and have greater symmetry than CP.

Background: Strength training is a complex task, as it requires a combination of many variables. In paralympic powerlifting (PP) asymmetries for the evaluation of activation, and static force indicators have been increasingly studied. Objective: To investigate the asymmetries in the strength and muscle activation indicators, before and after a training session of PP athletes. Methodology: Twelve elite athletes from the PP participated in the study, and asymmetry was evaluated through surface electromyography (sEMG) and static strength indicators. Evaluations were made before and after a protocol of five series of five repetitions (5 × 5), with 80% of 1-Maximum Repetition (1RM). Results: In the pectoral muscles, there were differences in the non-dominant limbs between the before and after in the sEMG. There were differences in the pectoralis muscle in the non-dominant limb between moments before (110.75 ± 59.52%) and after (130.53 ± 98.48%, p < 0.001), and there was no difference in triceps activation. In the Maximum Isometric Strength (MIF), there was a difference in the non-dominant limb between before (710.36 ± 129.36) and after (620.27 ± 69.73; p < 0.030). There was a difference before in the dominant (626.89 ± 120.16; 95% CI 550.55–703.24) and non-dominant (710.36 ± 129.36; p = 0.011) limbs. There was no difference in time to MIF. Conclusion: PP athletes showed small levels of asymmetry before and after training, and adaptation to training tends to promote fewer asymmetries.

A Ginástica Rítmica (GR) é uma modalidade esportiva que exige das atletas um bom condicionamento físico. Porém, o treinamento físico pode promover assimetrias de equilíbrio e força entre as atletas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o equilíbrio dos membros superiores e inferiores e força estática dos membros inferiores por meio dos testes Upper Body Test, Lower Body Test e dinamometria manual em atletas de GR durante a pré-temporada. O estudo caracteriza-se como descritivo com abordagem quantitativa de corte transversal, composta por 12 atletas de ginastica rítmica do sexo feminino com faixa etária de sete a 17 anos. Os resultados do estudo demonstram que para o equilíbrio dos membros superiores houve diferença significativa entre o padrão súpero-medial esquerdo x súpero-medial direito (G1=101,60 ± 14,20, G2=95,18 ± 13,00; t(11) 2,551; p = 0,027; d =0,47), também houve diferença significativa entre os padrões ínfero-lateral esquerdo x ínfero-lateral direito (G1= 98,82 ± 9,50, G2= 91,87 ± 8,06; t(11) 3,628; p = 0,004; d =0,79). Em relação aos membros inferiores, houve diferença apenas na comparação do padrão póstero lateral direito x póstero lateral esquerdo (G1=80,33 ± 5,06, G2=76,19 ± 8,14; t(11) -3,631; p = 0,004; d = 0,63). Já em relação a força de membros inferiores, existiu diferença significativa apenas entre os extensores do quadril (G1=160,86 ± 42,33, G2=153,44 ± 37,71; t (11) 2,546; p= 0,027; d= 0,19). Em conclusão, o treinamento da Ginastica Rítmica promove discrepância de equilíbrio entre os membros como também déficits de força. Palavras-chave: ginastica rítmica, força muscular, Upper Body Test, Lower Body Test, performance esportiva.

Background/Objectives: In powerlifting, velocity indicators and skin temperature have been utilized to control training loads for both conventional athletes and athletes with disabilities. Therefore, the present study evaluated maximum velocity (Vmax), mean propulsive velocity (MPV), power (POWER) output, and skin temperature (ST) following a 5 × 5 training session at 80% of one-repetition maximum (1RM) in conventional powerlifters (CP) and paralympic powerlifters (PP). Methods: A total of 24 male athletes (12 CP and 12 PP) underwent a 5 × 5 training session at 80% 1RM. Post-session, velocity indicators, power output, and ST were assessed at 45% 1RM. Results: Only the CP group exhibited significant differences in Vmax (p < 0.015), MPV (p < 0.007), and power output (p < 0.022) between time points. Regarding ST, only the PP group showed differences (p < 0.004) in the sternal portion of the pectoral major. For the long head of the triceps brachii, differences were observed between groups in the post-session measurement (p > 0.024) and for the PP group only in the post-session measurement (p < 0.002). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that in following a traditional training session (80% 1RM), assessments at 45% 1RM revealed different effects in velocity, power output, and ST measures between CP and PP groups. These findings suggest that within the same sport discipline, training variables may have distinct impacts across different categories of athletes, and further research is needed to evaluate these different responses.

BACKGOUND: In powerlifting, velocity indicators and skin temperature have been utilized to control training loads for both conventional athletes and athletes with disabilities.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate maximum velocity (Vmax), mean propulsive velocity (MPV), power output, and skin temperature (ST) following a 5x5 training session at 80% 1RM in conventional powerlifters (CP) and powerlifters with disabilities (PD).METHODS: 24 male athletes (12 CP and 12 PD) underwent a 5x5 training session at 80% 1RM. Post-session, velocity indicators, power output, and ST were assessed at 45% 1RM.RESULTS: Only the CP group exhibited significant differences in Vmax (P < 0.015), MPV (P < 0.007), and power output (P < 0.022) between time points. Regarding ST, only the PD group showed differences (P < 0.004) in the sternal portion of the pectoralis major. For the long head of the triceps brachii, differences were observed between groups in the post-session measurement (P > 0.024) and for the PD group only in the post-session measurement (P < 0.002).CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that following a traditional training session (80% 1RM), assessments at 45% 1RM revealed different kinetics in velocity, power output, and ST measures between CP and PD groups. These findings suggest that within the same sport discipline, training variables may have distinct impacts across different categories of athletes.