This study investigated the effects of flywheel inertial training on lower-limb power, trunk stability, and Olympic weightlifting performance in youth athletes. Eighteen youth Olympic weightlifters were allocated to a flywheel training group or a control group. Both groups continued their regular weightlifting training over a 10-week intervention period. The experimental group performed additional flywheel-based exercises twice weekly. Outcomes included measures of lower-limb power, trunk inclination during lifting, weightlifting performance, and technical error frequency.
This study investigated the effects of flywheel inertial training on lower-limb power, trunk stability, and Olympic weightlifting performance in youth athletes. Flywheel training is an eccentric-overload method that has been suggested to enhance neuromuscular adaptations, particularly in power and movement control. Eighteen youth Olympic weightlifters participated in this controlled intervention study and were allocated into a flywheel training group and a control group. Both groups continued their regular Olympic weightlifting training program, which included technical practice of the snatch and clean, strength exercises, and general physical preparation. The experimental group additionally performed flywheel-based exercises twice per week over a 10-week training period. The intervention was progressively structured to ensure appropriate load adaptation and technical execution. Outcome measures included assessments of lower-limb power, trunk inclination during lifting positions, performance in the snatch and clean, and technical error frequency. Pre- and post-intervention comparisons were used to evaluate the effects of the training program.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
18
Flywheel inertial training was performed twice weekly for 10 weeks in addition to regular Olympic weightlifting training. The program included lower-limb and trunk exercises such as squats, split squats, Romanian deadlifts, pulling variations, and core stabilization exercises. The training emphasized eccentric overload and progressive resistance to enhance power production and movement control.
Participants performed conventional Olympic weightlifting training including snatch and clean and jerk technique practice, squats, pulling exercises, strength exercises, mobility exercises, and general physical preparation according to the regular training program.
Damietta University, Faculty of Sports Science
Damietta, Egypt
Snatch Performance
Snatch performance was assessed as the best successful snatch lift completed by each participant according to technical criteria. The unit of measurement was kilograms (kg). The outcome was analyzed as the change in kilograms from baseline to 10 weeks.
Time frame: Baseline and 10 weeks post-intervention
Clean Lift Performance
Clean lift performance was assessed as the best successful clean lift completed by each participant without performing the jerk phase. The unit of measurement was kilograms (kg). The outcome was analyzed as the change in kilograms from baseline to 10 weeks.
Time frame: Baseline and 10 weeks post-intervention
Countermovement Jump Height
Countermovement jump height was measured to assess lower-limb explosive power. The unit of measurement was centimeters (cm). The outcome was analyzed as the change in centimeters from baseline to 10 weeks.
Time frame: Baseline and 10 weeks post-intervention
Trunk Inclination Angle During Snatch Receiving Position
Trunk inclination angle was measured during the lowest stable snatch receiving position using video-based kinematic analysis. The angle was measured from the vertical reference line passing through the hip joint. The unit of measurement was degrees (°). The outcome was analyzed as the change in degrees from baseline to 10 weeks. A lower angle indicates a more upright trunk position.
Time frame: Baseline and 10 weeks post-intervention
Squat Jump Height
Squat jump height was measured to assess concentric lower-limb power. The unit of measurement was centimeters (cm). The outcome was analyzed as the change in centimeters from baseline to 10 weeks.
Time frame: Baseline and 10 weeks post-intervention
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Standing Long Jump Distance
Standing long jump distance was measured to assess horizontal lower-limb explosive power. The unit of measurement was centimeters (cm). The outcome was analyzed as the change in centimeters from baseline to 10 weeks.
Time frame: Baseline and 10 weeks post-intervention
Trunk Inclination Angle During Clean Receiving Position
Trunk inclination angle was measured during the lowest stable clean receiving position using video-based kinematic analysis. The angle was measured from the vertical reference line passing through the hip joint. The unit of measurement was degrees (°). The outcome was analyzed as the change in degrees from baseline to 10 weeks. A lower angle indicates a more upright trunk position.
Time frame: Baseline and 10 weeks post-intervention
Total Weightlifting Performance
Total weightlifting performance was calculated as the sum of the best successful snatch lift and the best successful clean lift without jerk. The unit of measurement was kilograms (kg). The outcome was analyzed as the change in kilograms from baseline to 10 weeks.
Time frame: Baseline and 10 weeks post-intervention
Technical Error Frequency During Snatch and Clean Attempts
Technical-error frequency was calculated from video analysis by counting the total number of observed technical errors during selected snatch and clean attempts. The coded errors included excessive trunk inclination, forward or backward jump during receiving, unstable receiving position, loss of balance during recovery, and visible bar path deviation. The unit of measurement was number of errors. The outcome was analyzed as the change in number of errors from baseline to 10 weeks.
Time frame: Baseline and 10 weeks post-intervention