Does Heavy Strength Training Make You Tight?
National-level female powerlifting athletes maintain their range of motion without sacrificing strength, research shows.
The study "Range of Motion is Not Reduced in National Level Female Powerlifters" (PMID: 34334773) explores the relationship between range of motion (ROM) and performance in elite weightlifters.
Key Points
Objective: The study aimed to determine whether national-level male and female weightlifters exhibit a reduced range of motion compared to non-weightlifting athletes.
Participants: The study involved 24 female lifters (12 powerlifters and 12 recreationally trained controls) aged 18–40.
Methods:
ROM was assessed using a goniometer for shoulder flexion, shoulder extension, hip flexion, and knee flexion.
Statistical analyses included ANOVA to compare groups, with significance at p < 0.05.
Findings:
The results indicated no significant differences in ROM between the groups of athletes across all joints measured.
Female powerlifters maintained comparable ROM to their non-powerlifting counterparts, suggesting that powerlifting training does not impact ROM differently than general resistance training in female athletes.
Conclusion: The study concluded that engaging in national-level weightlifting does not adversely affect joint range of motion, proposing that elite weightlifters can maintain flexibility alongside strength training.
