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Abstract
This study investigated the technical performance of the jerk lift and its relationship with selected physical abilities among young athletes aged 18–20 years in Baghdad clubs. The jerk lift, a cornerstone of Olympic weightlifting, has been widely examined in elite and professional contexts; however, limited attention has been given to its technical evaluation among developing athletes in local training environments. To address this gap, our research introduces a novel framework for assessing the jerk lift in youth populations, thereby expanding the scope of biomechanical inquiry in strength training. A comprehensive methodology was employed, combining motion analysis, kinematic profiling, and standardized physical ability tests to assess the strength, agility, and coordination of the participants. The technical execution of the jerk lift was evaluated using biomechanical parameters, such as joint angles, force application, and lift stability. Correlation analyses revealed significant associations between precise jerk lift performance and enhanced physical attributes, particularly strength and coordination. These findings suggest that mastery of the jerk lift contributes not only to improved lift efficiency but also to broader athletic capability in young athletes. The novelty of this study lies in its focus on early career athletes, offering a pioneering perspective on how technical proficiency in the jerk lift can be linked to measurable physical ability. By bridging technical execution with athletic development, this study provides actionable insights for coaches and trainers seeking to optimize performance outcomes in youth training contexts. Furthermore, the proposed framework establishes a foundation for future investigations into strength training adaptations, contributing to the evolving discourse on biomechanics, athletic development and performance science.
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References
- Mizuguchi, S., Cunanan, A. J., Suarez, D. G., Cedar, W. E., South, M. A., Gahreman,
- D., ... & Stone, M. H. (2021). Performance comparisons of youth weightlifters as a function of age group and sex. Journal of Functional Morphology and
- Kinesiology, 6(3), 57.
- Soriano, M. A., Jiménez-Ormeño, E., Lake, J. P., McMahon, J. J., Gallo-Salazar, C., Mundy, P., & Comfort, P. (2024). Kinetics and kinematics of the push press, push jerk, and split jerk. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 38(8), 1359-1365.
- Thompson, S. W., Lake, J. P., Rogerson, D., Ruddock, A., & Barnes, A. (2023).
- Kinetics and kinematics of the free-weight back squat and loaded jump squat. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 37(1), 1-8.
- Veršić, Š. (2023). Effects of 4-week Olympic weightlifting training on speed and power performance in recreational athletes. Studia sportiva, 17(1), 35-41.
- Suchomel, T. J., McKeever, S. M., & Comfort, P. (2020). Training with weightlifting derivatives: The effects of force and velocity overload stimuli. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 34(7), 1808-1818.
- Meechan, D., Suchomel, T. J., McMahon, J. J., & Comfort, P. (2020). A comparison of kinetic and kinematic variables during the midthigh pull and countermovement
- shrug, across loads. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 34(7), 1830-1841.
- Venus, F., Danner, L., Buchecker, M., & Wagner, H. (2025). The influence of power, muscle mass, and training experience on Olympic weightlifting
- performance. Kinesiology, 57(1), 143-149.
- Hammami, R., Duncan, M. J., Nebigh, A., Werfelli, H., & Rebai, H. (2022). The effects of 6 weeks eccentric training on speed, dynamic balance, muscle strength, power, and lower limb asymmetry in prepubescent weightlifters. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 36(4), 955-962.
- Abdulhasan, G. A., Fenjan, F. H., & Abood, H. J. (2022). The Effect of Special Abilities Exercises on Growth Hormone and Achievement for Advanced
- Weightlifters, Baghdad Clubs. Revista iberoamericana de psicología del ejercicio y el deporte, 17(3), 130-132.
- Patel, S., & Karbhari, O. (2024, September). A Deep Learning Approach to Biomechanical Analysis and Classification of Weightlifting Lifts. In Congress on Intelligent Systems (pp. 189-203). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore.
- Joffe, S. A., Chavda, S., Gilham, J., Sandercock, G. R., & Tallent, J. (2025). A comparison of maximal isometric force in the first pull, transition and second pull of the clean and their contribution to predict performance in national and international level weightlifters. Sports Biomechanics, 1-17.
- Morris, S. J., Oliver, J. L., Pedley, J. S., Radnor, J. M., Haff, G. G., Cooper, S. M., & Lloyd, R. S. (2022). Kinetic predictors of weightlifting performance in young weightlifters. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 10-1519.
- Soriano, M. A., Flores, F. J., Lama-Arenales, J., Fernández-del-Olmo, M., & Comfort,
- P. (2024). Neuromuscular capabilities in top-level weightlifters and their association with weightlifting performance. Applied Sciences, 14(9), 3762.
- Chavda, S., Sorensen, A., Vernau, J., Hills, F., Bishop, C., & Turner, A. N. (2025). Effect of Post-Activation Potentiation on Weightlifting Performance and Endocrinological Responses. Applied Sciences, 15(2), 748.
- Morris, S. J., Oliver, J. L., Pedley, J. S., Haff, G. G., & Lloyd, R. S. (2020). Taking a long-term approach to the development of weightlifting ability in young athletes. Strength & Conditioning Journal, 42(6), 71-90.
- Ang, C. L., & Kong, P. W. (2023). Field-based biomechanical assessment of the snatch in Olympic weightlifting using wearable in-shoe sensors and videos—A preliminary report. Sensors, 23(3), 1171.
- Allawi, M. M., Khalaf, N. S., & Omar, Z. M. (2023). Some Biokinetic Variables of The Movement of The Feet of The Weightlifter During The Descending Phase Under The Barbell In The Lift To The Chest Section And Its Relationship To Achievement In The Clean And Jerk Lift. Revista iberoamericana de psicología del ejercicio y el deporte, 18(1), 106-108.
References
Mizuguchi, S., Cunanan, A. J., Suarez, D. G., Cedar, W. E., South, M. A., Gahreman,
D., ... & Stone, M. H. (2021). Performance comparisons of youth weightlifters as a function of age group and sex. Journal of Functional Morphology and
Kinesiology, 6(3), 57.
Soriano, M. A., Jiménez-Ormeño, E., Lake, J. P., McMahon, J. J., Gallo-Salazar, C., Mundy, P., & Comfort, P. (2024). Kinetics and kinematics of the push press, push jerk, and split jerk. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 38(8), 1359-1365.
Thompson, S. W., Lake, J. P., Rogerson, D., Ruddock, A., & Barnes, A. (2023).
Kinetics and kinematics of the free-weight back squat and loaded jump squat. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 37(1), 1-8.
Veršić, Š. (2023). Effects of 4-week Olympic weightlifting training on speed and power performance in recreational athletes. Studia sportiva, 17(1), 35-41.
Suchomel, T. J., McKeever, S. M., & Comfort, P. (2020). Training with weightlifting derivatives: The effects of force and velocity overload stimuli. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 34(7), 1808-1818.
Meechan, D., Suchomel, T. J., McMahon, J. J., & Comfort, P. (2020). A comparison of kinetic and kinematic variables during the midthigh pull and countermovement
shrug, across loads. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 34(7), 1830-1841.
Venus, F., Danner, L., Buchecker, M., & Wagner, H. (2025). The influence of power, muscle mass, and training experience on Olympic weightlifting
performance. Kinesiology, 57(1), 143-149.
Hammami, R., Duncan, M. J., Nebigh, A., Werfelli, H., & Rebai, H. (2022). The effects of 6 weeks eccentric training on speed, dynamic balance, muscle strength, power, and lower limb asymmetry in prepubescent weightlifters. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 36(4), 955-962.
Abdulhasan, G. A., Fenjan, F. H., & Abood, H. J. (2022). The Effect of Special Abilities Exercises on Growth Hormone and Achievement for Advanced
Weightlifters, Baghdad Clubs. Revista iberoamericana de psicología del ejercicio y el deporte, 17(3), 130-132.
Patel, S., & Karbhari, O. (2024, September). A Deep Learning Approach to Biomechanical Analysis and Classification of Weightlifting Lifts. In Congress on Intelligent Systems (pp. 189-203). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore.
Joffe, S. A., Chavda, S., Gilham, J., Sandercock, G. R., & Tallent, J. (2025). A comparison of maximal isometric force in the first pull, transition and second pull of the clean and their contribution to predict performance in national and international level weightlifters. Sports Biomechanics, 1-17.
Morris, S. J., Oliver, J. L., Pedley, J. S., Radnor, J. M., Haff, G. G., Cooper, S. M., & Lloyd, R. S. (2022). Kinetic predictors of weightlifting performance in young weightlifters. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 10-1519.
Soriano, M. A., Flores, F. J., Lama-Arenales, J., Fernández-del-Olmo, M., & Comfort,
P. (2024). Neuromuscular capabilities in top-level weightlifters and their association with weightlifting performance. Applied Sciences, 14(9), 3762.
Chavda, S., Sorensen, A., Vernau, J., Hills, F., Bishop, C., & Turner, A. N. (2025). Effect of Post-Activation Potentiation on Weightlifting Performance and Endocrinological Responses. Applied Sciences, 15(2), 748.
Morris, S. J., Oliver, J. L., Pedley, J. S., Haff, G. G., & Lloyd, R. S. (2020). Taking a long-term approach to the development of weightlifting ability in young athletes. Strength & Conditioning Journal, 42(6), 71-90.
Ang, C. L., & Kong, P. W. (2023). Field-based biomechanical assessment of the snatch in Olympic weightlifting using wearable in-shoe sensors and videos—A preliminary report. Sensors, 23(3), 1171.
Allawi, M. M., Khalaf, N. S., & Omar, Z. M. (2023). Some Biokinetic Variables of The Movement of The Feet of The Weightlifter During The Descending Phase Under The Barbell In The Lift To The Chest Section And Its Relationship To Achievement In The Clean And Jerk Lift. Revista iberoamericana de psicología del ejercicio y el deporte, 18(1), 106-108.