Association between lower extremity strength and Olympic weightlifting performance in young female weightlifters

Lower extremity strength is a key determinant of performance in Olympic weightlifting; however, its relationship with anthropometric and performance-related variables in young female athletes remains limited. This study examined associations between lower extremity strength and demographic, anthropometric, and performance variables in National Team (NT) and Turkish Olympic Preparation Center (TOPC) female weightlifters and compared group differences. Twenty female weightlifters participated (NT: n = 10; TOPC: n = 10). Participants had ≥3 years of training experience and trained 6 days per week. Measurements included maximal snatch and clean and jerk performance, lower extremity strength (knee flexion/extension, ankle dorsiflexion/plantarflexion), and horizontal and vertical jump performance. Data were analyzed using independent samples t-tests and Pearson correlation coefficients. Normality was assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test, and Benjamini-Hochberg false discovery rate correction was applied for multiple correlations (p < 0.05). No significant between-group differences were observed for demographic, anthropometric, or most performance variables (p > 0.05). Vertical jump performance was significantly higher in the NT group (p = 0.037). With Pearson correlation analyses, a significant positive relationship was shown between right ankle dorsiflexion and maximal total lift (MTotal) performance and body mass index (BMI) muscle strength (r = 0.740 and r = 0.724, respectively). Also, after false discovery rate (FDR) correction, right ankle dorsiflexion showed significant positive correlations with MTotal performance and BMI (p=0.006). But no significant associations were found after FDR correction between right ankle dorsiflexion and allometric total lift (ATotal), training experience, horizontal jump performance (p= 0.903, 0.600, 0.420, respectively). Although these findings reflect the presence of positive significant relationships between direct measurement data including right lower extremity ankle muscle strength and weightlifting performance and BMI, it was shown that the p values, which indicate the statistical significance level of these existing relationships, did not reflect statistical significance after FDR correction, especially with the calculated allometric weightlifting performance data. Further research with larger samples and longitudinal designs is warranted to clarify these relationships.