SavedAdd your journal

Journals / Turkish Journal of Kinesiology / 2026 / Volume: 12 Issue: 3

Association between lower extremity strength and Olympic weightlifting performance in young female weightlifters

Bekir Tokay(Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Uşak University, Uşak, Türkiye.)0000-0003-0059-0736
Erkan Özbay(Vocational School of Health, University of Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey, Karaman, Türkiye.)0000-0002-8781-3877
Kenan Erdağı(Department of Physical Education and Sport, Ahmet Keleşoğlu Faculty of Education, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Türkiye.)0000-0002-2338-6546
Bülent Işık(Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University, Karaman, Türkiye.)0000-0001-8753-8302
Pages
—
Publication Date
2026-06-30
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Further research with larger samples and longitudinal designs is warranted to clarify these relationships.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Lower extremity strength is a key determinant of performance in Olympic weightlifting; however, its relationship with anthropometric and performance-related variables in young female athletes remains limited.
📊
Key Findings & Data:This study examined associations between lower extremity strength and demographic, anthropometric, and performance variables in National Team (NT) and Turkish Olympic Preparation Center (TOPC) female weightlifters and compared group differences.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:Further research with larger samples and longitudinal designs is warranted to clarify these relationships.
🔬Design:Research Article
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Clean and jerk · lower extremity strength · performance

Abstract

Lower extremity strength is a key determinant of performance in Olympic weightlifting; however, its relationship with anthropometric and performance-related variables in young female athletes remains limited. This study examined associations between lower extremity strength and demographic, anthropometric, and performance variables in National Team (NT) and Turkish Olympic Preparation Center (TOPC) female weightlifters and compared group differences. Twenty female weightlifters participated (NT: n = 10; TOPC: n = 10). Participants had ≥3 years of training experience and trained 6 days per week. Measurements included maximal snatch and clean and jerk performance, lower extremity strength (knee flexion/extension, ankle dorsiflexion/plantarflexion), and horizontal and vertical jump performance. Data were analyzed using independent samples t-tests and Pearson correlation coefficients. Normality was assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test, and Benjamini-Hochberg false discovery rate correction was applied for multiple correlations (p 0.05). Vertical jump performance was significantly higher in the NT group (p = 0.037). With Pearson correlation analyses, a significant positive relationship was shown between right ankle dorsiflexion and maximal total lift (MTotal) performance and body mass index (BMI) muscle strength (r = 0.740 and r = 0.724, respectively). Also, after false discovery rate (FDR) correction, right ankle dorsiflexion showed significant positive correlations with MTotal performance and BMI (p=0.006). But no significant associations were found after FDR correction between right ankle dorsiflexion and allometric total lift (ATotal), training experience, horizontal jump performance (p= 0.903, 0.600, 0.420, respectively). Although these findings reflect the presence of positive significant relationships between direct measurement data including right lower extremity ankle muscle strength and weightlifting performance and BMI, it was shown that the p values, which indicate the statistical significance level of these existing relationships, did not reflect statistical significance after FDR correction, especially with the calculated allometric weightlifting performance data. Further research with larger samples and longitudinal designs is warranted to clarify these relationships.

🔖

Cite This Article

Tokay, B., Özbay, E., Erdağı, K., Işık, B. (2026). Association between lower extremity strength and Olympic weightlifting performance in young female weightlifters. Turkish Journal of Kinesiology, Volume: 12 Issue: 3. https://doi.org/10.31459/turkjkin.1923135

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (74)

  1. Arabatzi, F., & Kellis, E. (2012). Olympic weightlifting training causes different knee muscle-coactivation adaptations compared with traditional weight training. J Strength Cond Res, 26(8), 2192-2201. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e31823b087a
  2. Awad, A. (2017). Outcome strength of weightlifters, bilateral limb deficit, relative strength and its relationship to Women Arab Championships results (senior) 2017. Turk J Kinesiol, 4(1), 26-32. doi: 10.31459/turkjkin.408903
  3. Awad, A., Rehan, A., & Erdağı, K. (2023). Effect of directed strength exercises in terms of balance indicators on the snatch catching and clean receiving for youth women weightlifters. International Journal of Sports Science and Arts, 23(1), 70-91. doi: 10.21608/eijssa.2023.220861.1204
  4. Barrett, R. S., & Lichtwark, G. A. (2010). Gross muscle morphology and structure in spastic cerebral palsy: a systematic review. Dev Med Child Neurol, 52(9), 794–804. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8749.2010.03686.x
  5. Batterham, A. M., & George, K. P. (1997). Allometric modeling does not determine a dimensionless power function ratio for maximal muscular function. J Appl Physiol (1985), 83(6), 2158–2166. doi: 10.1152/jappl.1997.83.6.2158
  6. Chaabene, H., Prieske, O., Lesinski, M., Sandau, I., & Granacher, U. (2019). Short-term seasonal development of anthropometry, body composition, physical fitness, and sport-specific performance in young Olympic weightlifters. Sports, 7(12), 242. doi: 10.3390/sports7120242
  7. Chavda, S., Hill, M., Martin, S., Martin, S., Swisher, A., Haff, G. G., & Turner, A. N. (2021). Weightlifting: An applied method of technical analysis. Strength Cond J, 43(4), 32-42. doi: 10.1519/SSC.0000000000000614
  8. Chiu, L. Z. F., & Schilling, B. K. (2005). A primer on weightlifting: From sport to sports training. Strength Cond J, 27(1), 42-48.
  9. Cohen, J. (2013). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences. Routledge.
  10. Crewther, B., Aoki, M., Heke, T., Keogh, J., Moilanen, A., & Marshall, G. (2010). Modelling the best lifts of Olympic weightlifters using allometric scaling. J Sci Med Sport, 12(Suppl 2), e122. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2009.10.251
  11. Crewther, B. T., Gill, N., Weatherby, R. P., & Lowe, T. (2009). A comparison of ratio and allometric scaling methods for normalizing power and strength in elite rugby union players. J Sport Sci, 27(14), 1575–1580. doi: 10.1080/02640410903348657
  12. Crewther, B. T., McGuigan, M. R., & Gill, N. D. (2011). The ratio and allometric scaling of speed, power, and strength in elite male rugby union players. J Strength Cond Res, 25(7), 1968-1975. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181e4f77c
  13. Dooman, C. S., & Vanderburgh, P. M. (2000). Allometric modeling of the bench press and squat: who is the strongest regardless of body mass? J Strength Cond Res, 14(1), 32-36.
  14. Dunn, J., & Iversen, M. (2003). Interrater reliability of knee muscle forces obtained by handheld dynamometer from elderly subjects with degenerative back pain. J Geriatr Phys Ther, 26(3), 436-442.
  15. Earp, J. E., Kraemer, W. J., Newton, R. U., Comstock, B. A., Fragala, M. S., Dunn-Lewis, C.,. & Maresh, C. M. (2010). Lower-body muscle structure and its role in jump performance during squat, countermovement, and depth drop jumps. J Strength Cond Res, 24(3), 722-729. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181d32c04
  16. European Weightlifting Federation (EWF), (2026). European Weightlifting Results. https://results.ewf.sport/modern-results-list/
  17. Erdağı, K., Tüfekçi, O., Yeşeri, M., Özel, R., Başol, M., & Deveci, E. (2021). The examination of relationship between anthropometric measurement values of lower extremity and weightlifting performance of olympic style weightlifting athletes. Turkish Journal of Sports Science, 4(1), 1-8. doi: 10.32706/tusbid.702777
  18. Erdağı, K., Tüfekçi, O., Yeşeri, M., Yüksel, M. F., Turgut, N., & Eroğlu, B. E. (2020). A study on the determination of handgrip strength of Olympic style weightlifting athletes. Physical Education of Students, 24(3), 141-148. doi: 10.15561/20755279.2020.0303
  19. Folland, J. P., Mc Cauley, T. M., & Williams, A. G. (2008). Allometric scaling of strength measurements to body size. Eur J Appl Physiol, 102(6), 739-745. doi: 10.1007/s00421-007-0654-x
  20. Freemyer, B., Andrews, S., & Stickley, C. (2024). Allometric scaling hip joint moments optimally reduces anthropometric differences in males and females. Sports Biomech, 23(12), 3213-3223. doi: 10.1080/14763141.2023.2205378
  21. Garhammer, J., & Takano, B. (2003). Training for weightlifting. In P. V. Komi (Ed.), Strength and power in sport (Vol. 3, 2nd ed., pp. 502-515). Blackwell Science.
  22. Huebner, M., & Perperoglou, A. (2019). Performance development from youth to senior and age of peak performance in Olympic weightlifting. Front Physiol, 10, 1121. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2019.01121
  23. Işık, B., & Erdağı, K. (2022). Q-angles of elite and sub-elite female weightlifters in olympic style weightlifting. Aksaray University Journal of Sport and Health Researches, 3(2), 177-192. doi: 10.54152/asujshr.1169158
  24. Isik, B., & Erdagi, K. (2023). Investigation of hip extension and flexion muscle strength in female weightlifting athletes. Dicle Medical Journal, 50(2), 130-140. doi: 10.5798/dicletip.1313136
  25. Işik, B., Erdaği, K., Örücü, S., Özbay, E., & Osmanoğu, U. Ö. (2026a). Comparison of hip and knee range of motion measurements using Azure Kinect and a digital goniometer in elite female weightlifters. Sci Rep. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-51851-x
  26. Işık, B., Daşdelen, D., Özbay, E., Osmanoğlu, U. Ö., & Erdağı, E. (2026b). Acute physiological and pupillary responses during power snatch and clean & jerk training sessions in elite female weightlifters. Sci Rep, 16, 13453. doi:10.1038/s41598-026-44315-9
  27. International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), (2026). Results by Event. https://iwf.sport/results/results-by-events/
  28. İnce, İ., Ulupınar, S., Özbay, S., & Gençoğlu, C. (2021). The relationships between olympic weightlifting performance and vertical jump tests: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Spormetre Journal of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, 19(4), 93-108. doi: 10.33689/spormetre.911944
  29. Jaric, S. (2002). Muscle strength testing: use of normalisation for body size. Sports Med, 32(10), 615-631. doi: 10.2165/00007256-200232100-00002
  30. Kasović, M., Sagat, P., Kalčik, Z., Štefan, L., Hubinák, A., & Krška, P. (2023). Allometric normalization of handgrip strength in older adults: Which body size parameter is the most appropriate? BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil, 15(1), 18. doi: 10.1186/s13102-023-00628-0
  31. Kilincarslan, Ö., Erdağı, S. (2025). A review study on Olympic weightlifting. Journal of Sport Sciences and Innovation, 1(1), 54-73. doi: 10.65668/r52yeh19
  32. Kır, R., Civan, A.H., Coşkun, F., Kılıncarslan, Z., García-Vázquez, J.F. (2025a). Handgrip strength in female olympic-style weightlifters: an investigation of its associations with competitive level, performance, and anthropometric characteristics. Journal of Sport Science & Innovation, 1(1), 1-5. doi: 10.65668/3vpa1654
  33. Kır, R., Uzun, M. E., García-Vázquez, J. F., & Ünlü, S. (2025b). Comparison of pinch strength and its relationship with performance and demographic variables in elite female weightlifters. Journal of Sport Science & Innovation, 1(1), 16-29. doi: 10.65668/4rxn6e49
  34. Kim, S. M., Lee, K. K., Lam, W. K., & Sun, W. (2019). Weightlifting load effect on intra-limb coordination of lower extremity during pull phase in snatch: Vector coding approach. J Sport Sci, 37(20), 2331-2338. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2019.1632604
  35. Kipp, K., Harris, C., & Sabick, M. B. (2011). Lower extremity biomechanics during weightlifting exercise vary across joint and load. J Strength Cond Res, 25(5), 1229–1234. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181da780b
  36. Kipp, K., Redden, J., Sabick, M., & Harris, C. (2012). Kinematic and kinetic synergies of the lower extremities during the pull in olympic weightlifting. J Appl Biomech, 28(3), 271–278. doi: 10.1123/jab.28.3.271
  37. Lipovšek, T., Kacin, A., & Puh, U. (2022). Reliability and validity of hand-held dynamometry for assessing lower limb muscle strength. Isokinet Exerc Sci, 30(3), 231-240. doi: 10.3233/IES-210168
  38. Lynn, S.K., & Noffal, G. J. (2012). Lower extremity biomechanics during a regular and counterbalanced squat. J Strength Cond Res, 26(9), 2417-2425. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e31823f8c2d
  39. Manske, R., & Reiman, M. (2013). Functional performance testing for power and return to sports. Sports Health, 5(3), 244-250. doi: 10.1177/1941738113479925
  40. Marković, G., & Sekulić, D. (2006). Modeling the influence of body size on weightlifting and powerlifting performance. Coll Antropol, 30(3), 607-613.
  41. McLellan, C. P., Lovell, D. I., & Gass, G. C. (2011). The role of rate of force development on vertical jump performance. J Strength Cond Res, 25(2), 379-385. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181be305c
  42. Mentiplay, B.F., Perraton, L.G., Bower, K.J., Adair, B., Pua, Y.H., Williams, G.P.,. & Clark, R.A. (2015). Assessment of lower limb muscle strength and power using hand-held and fixed dynamometry: a reliability and validity study. PloS One, 10(10), e0140822. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0140822
  43. Morris, S. J., Oliver, J. L., Pedley, J. S., Haff, G. G., & Lloyd, R. S. (2020). Taking a long-term approach to the development of weightlifting ability in young athletes. Strength Cond J, 42(6), 71-90. doi: 10.1519/SSC.0000000000000561
  44. Morris, S. J., Oliver, J. L., Pedley, J. S., Haff, G. G., & Lloyd, R. S. (2022). Comparison of weightlifting, traditional resistance training and plyometrics on strength, power and speed: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Sports Med, 52(7), 1533-1554. doi: 10.1007/s40279-021-01627-2
  45. Oba, Y., Hetzler, R. K., Stickley, C. D., Tamura, K., Kimura, I. F., & Heffernan, T. P., Jr (2014). Allometric scaling of strength scores in NCAA division I-A football athletes. J Strength Cond Res, 28(12), 3330–3337. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000000548
  46. Oranchuk, D., Juneau, C., Diewald, S., Neville, J., & Cronin, J. (2024). The validity of a portable strain-gauge apparatus versus a commercial isokinetic dynamometer for evaluating knee extension kinetics. Int J Sports Phys Ther, 19(3), 258-267. doi: 10.26603/001c.92742
  47. Örücü, S., Işık, B., Erdağı, K. Osmanoğlu, U. Ö., & Özbay, E. (2025). Kinect-based anthropometric measurements: a comparative analysis of traditional methods in youth female weightlifters. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil, 17, 75. doi:10.1186/s13102-025-01129-y
  48. Özbay, E., Örücü S., Erdağı, K., Awad, A., & Işık, B. (2026a). Weightlifting from a Biophysical Perspective: Biomechanics, Performance, and Physiological Responses. Journal of Sport Science & Innovation, 2(1), 135-161. doi: 10.65668/myfwzs79
  49. Özbay, E., Örücü, S., & Kara, Y.B. (2026b). Kinect-based markerless motion analysis: sensor principles, measurement validity, and scope of use in sports applications. Journal of Sport Science & Innovation, 2(1), 74-90. doi: 10.65668/b4ekz323
  50. Pollard, C.D., Sigward, S.M., & Powers, C.M. (2010) Limited hip and knee flexion during landing is associated with increased frontal plane knee motion and moments. Clin Biomech, 25(2), 142-146 (2010). doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2009.10.005
  51. Savitz, D. A., & Wellenius, G. A. (2023). Can cross-sectional studies contribute to causal inference? It depends. Am J Epidemiol, 192(4), 514-516. doi: 10.1093/aje/kwac037
  52. Schatz, P., Ullrich, F., Siegert, F., Legerlotz, K., Diel, P., & Isenmann, E. (2026). Interactions between menstrual cycle, training load and strength performance in elite female weightlifters. J Sci Med Sport, 29(7), 833-840. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2026.01.003
  53. Schober, P., Boer, C., & Schwarte, L. A. (2018). Correlation coefficients: Appropriate use and interpretation. Anesthesia and Analgesia, 126(5), 1763–1768. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000002864
  54. Serrano, N., & Galpin, A. J. (2019). Conditioning for strength and human performance: Program design (3rd ed., T. J. Chandler & L. E. Brown, Eds.). Routledge.
  55. Soriano, M. A., Jiménez-Ormeño, E., Amaro-Gahete, F. J., Haff, G. G., & Comfort, P. (2022). How does lower-body and upper-body strength relate to maximum split jerk performance?. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 36(8), 2102-2107. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000004289
  56. Soriano, M. A., Suchomel, T. J., & Comfort, P. (2019). Weightlifting overhead pressing derivatives: a review of the literature. Sports Medicine, 49(6), 867-885. doi: 10.1007/s40279-019-01096-8
  57. Stark, T., Walker, B., Phillips, J. K., Fejer, R., & Beck, R. (2011). Hand-held dynamometry correlation with the gold standard isokinetic dynamometry: a systematic review. PM & R: the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitation, 3(5), 472-479. doi: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2010.10.025
  58. Stone, M. H., Pierce, K. C., Sands, W. A., & Stone, M. E. (2006). Weightlifting: A brief overview. Strength & Conditioning Journal, 28(1), 50-66.
  59. Stone, M. H., Sands, W. A., Pierce, K. C., Carlock, J. O. N., Cardinale, M., & Newton, R. U. (2005). Relationship of maximum strength to weightlifting performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc, 37(6), 1037-1043.
  60. Storey, A., & Smith, H.K. (2012). Unique aspects of competitive weightlifting: Performance, training and physiology. Sports Medicine. 42(9), 769-790. doi: 10.1007/BF03262294
  61. Suchomel, T. J., Wright, G. A., & Lottig, J. (2014, October). Lower extremity joint velocity comparisons during the hang power clean and jump shrug at various loads. In ISBS-Conference Proceedings Archive.
  62. Suchomel, T. J., Nimphius, S., Bellon, C. R. & Stone, M. H. (2018). The Importance of Muscular Strength: Training Considerations. Sports Med, 48, 765-785. doi: 10.1007/s40279-018-0862-z
  63. Tokay, B., & Işık, B. (2026). The Relationship Between Physical Performance and Upper Extremity Function in Elite and Sub-Elite Young Female Weightlifters. Journal of Sport Science & Innovation (JOSSI), 2(1), 120-134. doi: 10.65668/3fb0wz84
  64. Tricoli, V., Lamas, L., Carnevale, R., & Ugrinowitsch, C. (2005). Short-term effects on lower-body functional power development: weightlifting vs. vertical jump training programs. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 19(2), 433-437.
  65. Türkiye Halter Federasyonu, (THF) (2026). Türkiye Halter Federasyonu Yarışma Sonuçları. https://halter.gov.tr/faaliyet-arama/
  66. van der Woude, D. R., Ruyten, T., & Bartels, B. (2022). Reliability of muscle strength and muscle power assessments using isokinetic dynamometry in neuromuscular diseases: a systematic review. Phys Ther, 102(10), pzac099. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzac099
  67. Vidal Pérez, D., Martínez-Sanz, J. M., Ferriz-Valero, A., Gómez-Vicente, V., & Ausó, E. (2021). Relationship of limb lengths and body composition to lifting in weightlifting. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 18(2), 756. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18020756
  68. Wang, X., & Cheng, Z. (2020). Cross-sectional studies: strengths, weaknesses, and recommendations. Chest, 158(1S), S65-S71. doi: 10.1016/j.chest.2020.03.012
  69. Zaras, N., Stasinaki, A. N., Spiliopoulou, P., Arnaoutis, G., Hadjicharalambous, M., & Terzis, G. (2021). Rate of force development, muscle architecture, and performance in elite weightlifters. Int J Sports Physiol Perform, 16(2), 216-223. doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2019-0974
  70. Zaras, N., Stasinaki, A. N., Spiliopoulou, P., Hadjicharalambous, M., & Terzis, G. (2020). Lean body mass, muscle architecture, and performance in well-trained female weightlifters. Sports, 8(5), 67. doi: 10.3390/sports8050067
  71. Zecchin, A., Puggina, E. F., Hortobágyi, T., & Granacher, U. (2023). Association between foundation strength and weightlifting exercises in highly trained weightlifters: Support for a general strength component. J Strength Cond Res, 37(7), 1375-1381. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000004433
  72. Earp, J. E., Kraemer, W. J., Newton, R. U., Comstock, B. A., Fragala, M. S., Dunn-Lewis, C.,. & Maresh, C. M. (2010). Lower-body muscle structure and its role in jump performance during squat, countermovement, and depth drop jumps. J Strength Cond Res, 24(3), 722-729. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181d32c04
  73. Mentiplay, B.F., Perraton, L.G., Bower, K.J., Adair, B., Pua, Y.H., Williams, G.P.,. & Clark, R.A. (2015). Assessment of lower limb muscle strength and power using hand-held and fixed dynamometry: a reliability and validity study. PloS One, 10(10), e0140822. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0140822
  74. Stark, T., Walker, B., Phillips, J. K., Fejer, R., & Beck, R. (2011). Hand-held dynamometry correlation with the gold standard isokinetic dynamometry: a systematic review. PM & R: the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitation, 3(5), 472-479. doi: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2010.10.025