The Duration of the Non – Support Phase of the Snatch and the Clean
A.P. Ilin, O.I. Livanov, A.I. Falameyev Lenningrad Tyazhelaya Atletika 1978: 28 – 29
Translated by Andrew Charniga, Jr. www.Sportivnypress.com
Many researchers have determined the duration of the non – support phase of the classic exercises. However, no one has established the connection between the length of time to rearrange the feet to a new place on the support with the weight of the barbell, the weightlifter’s qualification and his height.
We measured the non – support time in the squat snatch and squat clean, in milliseconds with a special device called a contact platform. (see Teoriia I Praktika Fizicheskoi Kultrury, 1975:12:59-60) Fifty two athletes took part in our experiment (42 novices and 20 highly qualified weightlifters: class I, candidate to master of sport and USSR master of sport). We recorded the height of all the participants. The subjects performed the snatch and the clean with weights which were 55%, 65%, 75%, 85% and 95% of maximum of the best result in the exercise for our measurements of non – support time. The sportsmen were distributed into four sub – groups based on their height (first group 165 – 170 cm; second 170 -175; third 175 – 180; fourth 180 -186 cm).
The results of the experiment showed that the length of the non – support phase in the snatch and the clean were dependent on the sportsman’s height: the taller the athlete the longer the non – support phase.
The time to rearrange the feet to a new support in the clean contracted in comparison with the snatch. The difference was statistically significant. The difference in the non – support phase times of these exercises (for athletes of any qualification) will be distinct if the statistical calculations exclude the height data (se table).
It is obvious from the data in the table that the non – support time of the snatch and the clean contracts with the increasing weight of the barbell. However, the non – support times of the novice lifter (especially in the snatch) increases when the weight of the barbell reaches 95%. The difference in the time to rearrange the feet to a new place of support between all zones of intensity for the novice weightlifter performing the snatch was statistically reliable. For the clean the difference was reliable only between the first and second, the second and third and second and fifth zones of intensity.
Figures 1&2. The non – support phase of the snatch and the clean can occur one foot at a time. Charniga photos.
The contraction of the non – support time with the increasing weight of the barbell and then an increase in this time with 95% weights is consistent with physiological laws: strong and weak irritants provoke irradiation and medium irritants a concentration of the excitatory processes. The motor habit of the novice is not fully automatic; consequently, a significant increase in weight results in a re – tuning of coordination and its complex structure. This is why the 95% weights cause an increase in the time to rearrange the feet to the new place on the support. On the other hand, light weights do not permit the weightlifter to fully utilize his strength potential and to formulate an appropriate habit; in this case the structure of the exercise is quite different from what can be considered rational.
There is no essential difference in the non – support time of the qualified weightlifter in the snatch or the clean beginning with 75% weights, because it is no longer connected with the weight of the barbell.
Length of the non – support position of the snatch and the clean with different weights
|
Exer. |
Qualification |
# subj. |
55% |
65% |
75% |
85% |
95% |
|
Snatch |
Novice |
42 |
210±29 |
190±29 |
168±19 |
156±30 |
193±25 |
|
|
ClassI, CMS, MS |
20 |
181±16 |
155±22 |
144±23 |
144±19 |
145±18 |
|
Clean |
Novice |
42 |
170±30 |
155±33 |
142±23 |
140±21 |
143±21 |
|
|
Class I CMS, MS |
20 |
129±18 |
119±22 |
102±12 |
99±19 |
99±16 |
There was a statically reliable difference between the first and third; and the second, third and the subsequent zones of intensity.
Our research revealed another circumstance: the non – support time in both the snatch and the clean contracts along with the rising qualification of the weightlifter. This is clear cut regardless of the amount of the weight. The difference is statistically reliable in all zones of intensity (p<0.001). There is a gradual economization of the technique of performing the exercises during the process of attaining sport mastery.
Based on our findings we recommend that novices train with weights which are 75 – 85% of their best result in the exercise in order to improve their descent into the squat position.
Conclusions
- The length of the non – support phase of the snatch and the clean depend on the lifter’s height. The time required to rearrange the feet to a new place of support increases with the increasing height of the athlete.
- The non – support time of the snatch is longer than the non – support time of the clean.
- Highly qualified lifters significantly shorten the non – support time in the snatch and the clean in comparison with novices.
- The time required to rearrange the feet to a new support depends on the weight of the barbell. The non – support time gradually contracts with the rising weight of the barbell for novices, but it increases once again with 95% weights. There is a lesser dependence between the non – support time and the weight of the barbell for the highly qualified lifter. The time contracts only up to 75% weights then stabilizes at this level.