A biomechanical analysis of variations of the power clean and their application for athletic development

The aim of this series of studies was to determine the effect of power clean variation (power clean (PC), hang power clean (HPC), mid-thigh power clean (MTPC) and mid-thigh clean pull (MTCP)) and load on force time characteristics, in an attempt to identify the optimal variation and load to develop specific force time characteristics. Study 1 demonstrated that assessment of peak force, peak rate of force development (RFD) and peak power were highly reliable (ICC r≥0.968) during the PC, with smallest detectable differences of ≥8.68 N, ≥24.54 N.s, ≥68.01 W, respectively, signifying a meaningful change. Study 2 and 3 demonstrate that the MTCP and MTPC are preferential in terms of maximising acute kinetic performances when compared to the PC and HPC, as they result in the greatest peak force, peak RFD and peak power. In contrast, study 4 showed no kinetic differences (p>0.05) across PC variations (PC, HPC, MTPC) or load (70, 70, 80% 1-RM) in inexperienced female collegiate athletes. Study 5 revealed that peak power output during the PC was achieved at a load of 70% 1-RM, although this was not significantly (p>0.05) different when compared to the 60% and 80% 1-RM loading conditions, in inexperienced athletes, in line with previous research in well trained athletes. Finally, study 6 demonstrated that when the MTCP is performed with loads of 120-140% 1-RM PC, significantly greater peak force (p<0.001), peak RFD (p=0.004) and impulse (p≤0.023) occur when compared to loads ≤100% 1-RM. In contrast, significantly greater peak power (p≤0.02), bar displacement (p≤0.02) and bar velocity (p