STAGE CHANGES IN THE LEVEL OF GENERAL PHYSICAL FITNESS IN POWERLIFTING DURING MULTI-YEAR TRAINING

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine changes in the indicators of general physical fitness (GPF) of powerlifters of the second group of weight categories (83, 93, 105 kg) under the influence of systematic training according to the classical program at the stages of multi-year training. The study involved 65 athletes, divided into four groups according to the stages: I – 12 years, n=20; II – 14 years, n=17; III – 17 years, n=15; IV – 21 years, n=13. The level of GPF was assessed using five validated tests: speed (30 m run), agility (shuttle run 4×9 m), explosive power (long jump from a standing position), total strength (standing dynamometry) and flexibility (sitting forward torso tilt). Testing was carried out at the end of each stage in standardized conditions, the results were processed by parametric methods using Student’s t-test. A pronounced positive dynamics of most indicators was obtained between stages I and IV. The 30 m running time decreased from 5,73±0,13 s to 4,90±0,08 s (improvement – 14,5%; significant differences: I–III, t₁,₃=3,35; p<0,01; I–IV, t₁,₄=5,44; p<0,001; II–IV, t₂,₄=4,06; p<0,001). In the 4×9 m shuttle run, a reduction in time was recorded from 13,11±0,19 s to 11,91±0,20 s (9,2%; I–III, t₁,₃=3,16; p<0,01; I–IV, t₁,₄=4,35; p<0,001; II–IV, t₂,₄=2,95; p<0,01). Explosive strength indicators increased from 180,3±3,53 cm to 239,1±3,11 cm (increase – 32,6%); reliability was confirmed in all interstage comparisons (t=2,52-7,88; p<0,05-0,001), which reflects a steady improvement in the speed-strength component. The maximum force according to static dynamometry increased from 66,2±6,45 kg to 131,3±5,73 kg (98%), statistically significant differences were noted for I–II (t₁,₂=3,67; p<0,01), I–III (t₁,₃=5,23; p<0,001), I–IV (t₁,₄=7,55; p<0,001), II–IV (t₂,₄=4,28; p<0,001) and III–IV (t₃,₄=2,47; p<0,05), while II–III had an unreliable character, which may indicate a temporary “plateau” in the middle of the cycle. Flexibility improved from 10,5±0,62 cm to 15,2±0,65 cm (44,7%; I–III, t₁,₃=3,36; p<0,01; I–IV, t₁,₄=5,23; p<0,001; II–IV, t₂,₄=3,20; p<0,01). The set of changes indicates the systematic formation of key components of the FFP in response to the gradual increase in the volume and intensity of training loads according to the classical program: increasing speed and coordination capabilities, increasing explosive and maximum strength, as well as expanding the range of mobility. The largest inter-group differences were found between stages I and IV, while between adjacent stages the shifts were mainly moderate or selective, which is consistent with the ideas about the wave dynamics of adaptation in a multi-year cycle.