Acute physiological and pupillary responses during power snatch and clean & jerk training sessions in elite female weightlifters

Individual training programs are essential for healthy weightlifting. To investigate the adaptive response of vital functions and pupil diameter to olympic style weightlifting training performed in elite female weightlifters. The study was conducted with twenty elite female weightlifters in the preparation period for competitions. Weightlifters were given 90-minute training sessions with 75% and 100% maximum weight loaded on two different days. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, oxygen saturation, pulse, respiratory rate, body temperature, and mean pupil diameter values, were measured during the rest, power snatch, clean & jerk movement and cool down phases of 75% and 100% maximum weight loaded training. Shapiro Wilk test, Friedman’s two-way analysis and Sperman correlation used for statistical analyses (P < 0.05). All vital values were significantly different in at least one measurement time from the other measurement times in groups (p ≤ 0.001). In the power snatch phase, all the vital signs were different from the rest and cool down phases in both training groups (p < 0.001, respectively). In 100% maximum weight training group, there was a significant positive correlation between max clean & jerk and systolic blood pressure of basal (r = 0.37), power snatch phase (r = 0.27) and cool down phase (r = 0.44). It can be said that different maximum weight power snatch and clean & jerk weightlifting trainings affect vital functions and mean pupil diameter changes and weightlifting performance within physiological limits, in weightlifters, and this may be a reference in arranging a training program. Continuous monitoring of athletes’ training-induced autonomic outcomes may contribute to individual arrangements for safe sports and high performance.