International Journal of Advanced Biotechnology and Research (IJBR)

ISSN 0976-2612, Online ISSN 2278–599X,

Vol-7, Special Issue-Number5-July, 2016, pp1087-1094
http://www.bipublication.com

Research Article

Comparing Kinematic Characteristics of Two Snatch and

Push Techniques in Male Weightlifters

Seyed Ehsan Jahed*, Alireza Rahimi** and Amir Sarshin***

* Sport Biomechanics of Sport & Exercise Faculty in Level of Master's Degree,
Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Alborz, Iran
** Sport Physiology in level of Doctorate and Docent of Sport & Exercise Faculty,
Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Alborz, Iran
*** Sport Physiology in level of Doctorate and Docent of Sport & Exercise Faculty,
Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Alborz, Iran

ABSTRACT
This study is aimed to compare Kinematic characteristics of two snatch and push techniques. 16 male weightlifters of
Markazi Province (in the age of years old, in weights of kg) participated in this study and
runthe considered technique was filmed with frequency rate of 240 FPS. Weightlifters divided in two 8- person
groups_snatch group and push groups_ and with 80% power run the technique 3 times. Data related to kinematic
parameters of lower limb in two push and snatch techniques were analyzed by using from statistical methodof paired
sample t- test. In 1st phase, the minimum flexion of knee in push method is significantly more that snatch one. In 2nd
phase, kinetic skirt of hip and knee joints and angular acceleration of knee extension and the maximum dorsiflexion of
ankle in push method were significantly more than snatch one and linear kinematic parameters of hip and leg in push
method in all parameters except vertical acceleration of hip and vertical acceleration of leg were significantly more
than these amounts in snatch one. In 3rd phase, maximum dorsiflexion of ankle, kinetic skirt of ankle and angular
acceleration of dorsiflexion of ankle in push method were significantly more than snatch one and the amount of
vertical movement of hip and vertical movement of leg in push method were more than snatch one. Weightlifters in
push method used further from angular movements' acceleration and kinetic skirt of joints and also from linear
movements' acceleration in lower limbs. So, push technique can cause to make some efforts and exercising further
acceleration than snatch one in runninglifting motion of weightlifters.

Keywords: weightlifting, snatch, push, angular kinematic, linear kinematic

INTRODUCTION
Kinesiology system has two software and
hardware parts. Software part includes calibration
frame, cameras and markers. By this system the
motion can be analyzed in two or three
dimensions. Weightlifting field is an attractive and
popular sport that has assigned one of Olympic
mottos, the most powerful, and it is in the set of
power motions in acceleration.Prassas and Fulton
conducted a research titled "kinematic analysis on
snatch technique in Olympic weightlifting" in
which the aim of study was finding out a respond
for this question "why success is low in snatch
movement?" for the reason, snatch movement
done by professional weightlifters in competitive
room of race has been analyzed and stated that
halter in snatch movement should have a nearly
vertical path with a very partial backward
deviation when the halter arrives to its peak point.
Weightlifters have high power and capability. The
researches which were conducted in the field of
force and acceleration show that power activities
not only help to forcereinforcing, but also increase
 Comparing Kinematic Characteristics of Two Snatch and Push Techniques in Male Weightlifters
power (Yacowolf, 1956).The aim of kinematic
analyzing has been snatch movement by 7 elite
female weightlifters in World Championship 2010
which is done by Hassan Akkus, determining
work mechanic, output power and angular
kinematic of lower limb and linear kinematic of
halter during the first and second tension in snatch
movement in which two cameras record data and
regarding to linear kinematic of halter and angular
kinematic of lower limb, female elite weightlifters
in tension patterns of snatch movement were not
similar to male weightlifters. The more power
makes possible more simple victory on external
force and more rapid running in movements. The
importance of power in improving the acceleration
has been confirmed regarding to sport experiences
and scientific researches ().FotiniArabatzi,
EleftheriosKellis investigated the relationship
between kinetic characteristics and kinematic of
snatch movement with vertical jumping on 8
female elite weightlifters. Information collected
simultaneously by EMG and FP and two cameras
and studying this information shows that second
tension of snatch movement is similar to vertical
jumping with overload and it is possible to be
useful in improving power.
As shown in experiences, considerable training of
power can make increasing kinetic frequency
possible. Simultaneous with increasing force,
bulking muscle fiber and general growth of
muscles are occurred. It has been shown that as
increasing diameter of muscle fibers, the
acceleration of contraction is not decreased (Net,
1963). As lifting weight, the weightlifter should
pay attention to both the acceleration of halter
transferring and the acceleration of body organs.
For developing maximum force, the movements
with halter should be run with maximum
acceleration. The power which reinforced during
lifting of halter is proportional with halter mass
and running acceleration1. In path of lifting
weight, acceleration change. Acceleration of body
organs running has a close relationship with
1 2
F= m.a
Seyed Ehsan Jahed, et al.
acceleration of halter transferring. When the
weight bar arrives in its tension peak, lowering the
body rapidly is done in a way that weight bar is
prevented from dropping in effect of gravity
(Bojko, 1974). YousefSafrushahr et al.2 compare
acceleration and height of snatch tension in
movements with successful and unsuccessful
tension of 5 Malaysian elite weightlifters and in
this research 3 digital cameras were employed for
determining movement in 3 dimensions and
concluded that acceleration of movement may by
a better index than tension height, in that, why a
tension has been failed.
METHODOLOGY
Statistical population were 25 persons of male
weightlifters of Markazi Province who had 5
years training record and also participated in
provincial and state championship and all samples
were the members of selective team of Markazi
Province who get enough skill in running the
correct technique and among them 16
weightlifters were selected who had good and
confirmed technique. After presenting
weightlifters in club, the phases of work were
described to them and movie camera (CASIO,
EX-ZR1000 model, made in Japan) located in 3
meters distance and perpendicular to the sagittal
surface in right side of weightlifting board
(premier feet side) on the tripod in the height of
0.8 meter and then after calibration and lightening
of the scene by projector, the testimonial form was
completed and individual characteristics was
registered. After grouping weightlifters into two
8- person groups called snatch group (1st group)
and push group (2nd group), one weightlifter from
snatch group and other one from push group came
on the board. (It should be said that in 1st day, 1st
group dis only snatch technique and 2nd group did
only push technique and in 2nd day 1st group did
push technique and 2nd group did snatch
technique). Then 7 markers, by textile adhesive
and wide cache, set on anterior superior iliac spine
YusoffSafrushahar, HasanNorhaslinda, Barry Wilson
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 Comparing Kinematic Characteristics of Two Snatch and Push Techniques in Male Weightlifters

(ASIS) of pelvis, greater trochanter of hip femur,
external epicondyle of hip, external ankle, 5th
planter- figure joint, gravity center of hip and
gravity center of leg and all weightlifters with
their 80% power started to run the technique for 3
times, in different times and with enough rest in
the same scope of weightlifting board which has
been determined in line with plumb line from
lateral center and the best running was selected
among 3 running of each weightlifter. Descriptive
statistic relates to individual characteristics of
subjects including general characteristics means
age, height and weight of subjects and paired t-
test in alpha significant level of 0.05 has been
used for testing the hypotheses and comparing
kinematic parameters of lower limb in two snatch
and push techniques.
Research Findings
The results of paired t- test for comparing angular
kinematic parameters of hip, knee and ankle joints
in 1st phase of two snatch and push techniquesin
weightlifting, have been shown in table 1. The
results showed that angular kinematic parameters
of hip, knee and ankle joints in 1st phase of two
snatch and push techniques except the minimum
flexion of knee are although different with each
other but this difference is not significant
statistically. Minimum flexion of knee in 1st phase
of push technique is significantly more than
minimum flexion of knee in snatch technique.

Table 1: Mean, standard deviation and results of paired t- test to compareangular kinematic parameters of hip, knee
and ankle jointsin 1 st phase of two snatch and push techniques in weightlifting.
Changes rate Inferential statistics
Variable Push technique Snatch technique Results of paired t- test
Maximum flexion of hip 74.55 ± 6.95 73.02 ± 15.35

Minimum flexion of hip 39.93 ± 10.95 30.22 ± 6.34

Kinetic skirt of hip joint 32.41 ± 7.53 66.99 ± 9.93

Maximum flexion of knee 65.50 ± 8.77 2.03 ± 1.19

Minimum flexion of knee 5.05 ± 2.92 66.34 ± 8.59

Kinetic skirt of knee joint 65.10 ± 8.82 25.30 ± 5.04

Maximum dorsiflexion of ankle 36.79 ± 5.31 04/5 ± 30/35

Minimum dorsiflexion of ankle 9.87 ± 6.51 7.73 ± 3.77

Kinetic skirt of ankle joint 26.88 ± 3.58 27.45 ± 4.10

Angular acceleration of hip flexion 166.22 ± 46.01 142.74 ± 21.45

Angular acceleration of knee flexion 211.93 ± 46.19 217.38 ± 43.89

Angular acceleration of ankle dorsiflexion 106.79 ± 20.68 111.45 ± 26.09

The results of paired t- test for comparing linear kinematic parameters of hip and leg in 1st phase of two
snatch and push techniquesin weightlifting showed that linear kinematic parameters of hip and leg in
1stphase of two snatch and push techniques are although different with each other but this difference is not
significant statistically. The results of paired t- test for comparing angular kinematic parameters of hip,
knee and ankle joints in 2nd phase of two snatch and push techniquesin weightlifting, have been shown in

Seyed Ehsan Jahed, et al. 1089

 Comparing Kinematic Characteristics of Two Snatch and Push Techniques in Male Weightlifters

table 2. The results showed that kinetic skirt of hip joint in push techniques is significantly more than
kinetic skirt of hip joint in snatch technique. Also, kinetic skirt of knee joint in push techniques is
significantly more than kinetic skirt of knee joint in snatch technique. Meanwhile, the results showed that
angular acceleration of knee extension and maximum dorsiflexion of ankle in push technique is
significantly more than these amounts in snatch technique. But in 2nd phase, in other angular kinematic
parameters of hip, knee and ankle joints in two snatch and push techniques are although different with each
other but this difference is not significant statistically.
Table 2: Mean, standard deviation and results of paired t- test to compareangular kinematic parameters of hip, knee
and ankle jointsin 2 nd phaseof two snatch and push techniques in weightlifting
Changes rate Inferential statistics
Variable Push technique Snatch technique Results of paired t- test
Maximum flexion of hip 69.89±13.14 71.52±16.60

Minimum flexion of hip 38.41±1024 42.69±14.02

Kinetic skirt of hip joint 32.25±4.67 28.82±4.43

Maximum flexion of knee 65.51±8.77 66.99±9.93

Minimum flexion of knee 5.48±3.97 6.79±3.69

Kinetic skirt of knee joint 62.93±7.83 57.76±9.77

Maximum dorsiflexion of ankle 53.09±6.80 47.78±6.42

Minimum dorsiflexion of ankle 8.74±4.50 8.97±2.23

Kinetic skirt of ankle joint 42.48±6.66 39.94±7.70

Angular acceleration of hip extension 245.23±51.28 229.89±32.49

Angular acceleration of knee extension 476.47±81+93 441.28±71.53

Angular acceleration of ankle extension 436.82±78.01 401.28±58.65

The results of paired t- test for comparing linear kinematic parameters of hip and leg in 2nd phase of two
snatch and push techniquesin weightlifting had been shown in table 3. The results showed that linear
kinematic parameters of hip and leg in 2 nd phase of push technique in all parameters except vertical
acceleration of hip and vertical acceleration of leg are significantly more than these amounts in snatch
technique. But vertical acceleration of hip and vertical acceleration of leg in push and snatch techniques are
although a little different with each other but this difference is not significant statistically.
Table 3: Mean, standard deviation and results of paired t- test to comparelinear kinematic parameters of hip and leg in
2nd phaseof two snatch and push techniques in weightlifting
Changes rate Inferential statistics
Variable Push technique Snatch technique Results of paired t- test
Horizontal acceleration of hip 63.64±23.52 23.71±13.03

Vertical acceleration of hip 153.50±22.45 146.03±18.36

Horizontal acceleration of leg 100.46±22.45 45.08±15.13

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 Comparing Kinematic Characteristics of Two Snatch and Push Techniques in Male Weightlifters

Vertical acceleration of leg 126.07±15.13 122.80±11.16

Horizontal movement of hip 7.95±2.58 4.13±2369

Vertical movement of hip 22.20±3.14 20.69±3.58

General movement of hip 23.64±3.11 21.25±3.66

Horizontal movement of leg 11.13±2.30 8.12±3.10

Vertical movement of leg 13.62±2.43 12.19±1.92

General movement of leg 17.75±922.62 14.82±2.87

The results of paired t- test for comparing angular kinematic parameters of hip, knee and ankle joints in 3 rd
phase of two snatch and push techniquesin weightlifting, have been shown in table 4. The results showed
that maximum flexion of knee, kinetic skirt of knee, angular acceleration of hip flexion and angular
acceleration of knee flexion in 3 rd phase of snatch technique is significantly more than push technique. But
maximum dorsiflexion of ankle, kinetic skirt of ankle and angular acceleration of ankle dorsiflexion in 3rd
phase of push technique are significantly more than snatch technique. In 3 rd phase two push and snatch
techniques in minimum and maximum flexion of hip, kinetic skirt of hip, minimum flexion of knee and
minimum dorsiflexion of ankle and acceleration of hip flexion don’t have significant difference
statistically.
Table 4: Mean, standard deviation and results of paired t- test to compareangular kinematic parameters of hip, knee
and ankle in 3 rd phaseof two snatch and push techniques in weightlifting
Changes rate Inferential statistics
Variable Push technique Snatch technique Results of paired t- test
Maximum flexion of hip 73.47±20.52 77.25±16.33

Minimum flexion of hip 38.35±9.61 42.18±14.01

Kinetic skirt of hip joint 36.20±14.47 34.30±11.07

Maximum flexion of knee 50.64±12.69 64.05±14.33

Minimum flexion of knee 5.45±4.00 6.91±4.13

Kinetic skirt of knee joint 48.08±14.91 57.14±10.85

Maximum dorsiflexion of ankle 55.72±9.61 51.43±6.40

Minimum dorsiflexion of ankle 29.99±10.30 28.52±4.66

Kinetic skirt of ankle joint 27.26±4.78 22.91±5.36

Angular acceleration of hip flexion 356.48±62.43 372.75±76.71

Angular acceleration of knee flexion 538.02±91.69 608.32±80.13

Angular acceleration of ankle flexion 296.87±35.26 266.97±57.23

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 Comparing Kinematic Characteristics of Two Snatch and Push Techniques in Male Weightlifters

The results of paired t- test for comparing linear kinematic parameters of hip and leg in 3rd phase of two
snatch and push techniquesin weightlifting had been shown in table 5. The results showed that linear
kinematic parameters of hip and leg in 3rd phase of push and snatch techniques in 2 parameters of vertical
acceleration of hip and horizontal acceleration of leg don’t have a significant difference. In push technique
the amounts of vertical movement of hip and vertical movement of leg parameters are more than snatch
technique. But the amount of horizontal acceleration of hip, vertical acceleration of leg, horizontal
movement of hip, general movement of hip, horizontal movement of leg and general movement of leg in
push technique parameters are significantly less than these amount if snatch technique.
Table 5: Mean, standard deviation and results of paired t- test to comparelinear kinematic parameters of hip and leg in
3rd phaseof two snatch and push techniques in weightlifting
Changes rate Inferential statistics
Variable Push technique Snatch technique Results of paired t- test
Horizontal acceleration of hip 59.98±24.54 128.78±29.70

Vertical acceleration of hip 94.47±19.85 99.44±18.91

Horizontal acceleration of leg 68.24±21.39 63.31±19.04

Vertical acceleration of leg 74.50±1309 91.52±18.96

Horizontal movement of hip 2.77±1.56 13.19±3.38

Vertical movement of hip 14.59±2.90 12.97±2.33

General movement of hip 15.31±3.00 18.53±3.03

Horizontal movement of leg 2.39±1.76 32.60±6.16

Vertical movement of leg 10.66±2.04 6.94±2.39

General movement of leg 12.24±3.841 33.45±5.92

DISCUSSION technique and in running the push technique, the

The aim of this study was a comparison between
some kinematic characteristics in 1st, 2 nd and 3rd
phases in snatch and push techniques of male
weightlifters. After grouping weightlifters
voluntarily and by observing running time, 7
markers, by textile adhesive and wide cache, set
on anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) of pelvis,
greater trochanter of hip femur, external
epicondyle of hip, external ankle, 5th planter-
figure joint, gravity center of hip and gravity
center of leg and then the weightlifters came for
running techniques on the board. In 1st phase in
push technique, in fist moment which the
weightlifters are ready for starting the movement,
their knees' flexion are a bit more than snatch
technique and they lower further and enjoy from
hip and knee joints' flexion more than other
flexion done by further coming the body forward.
Then when they wanted to do push technique,
they try to create enough force for starting the
movement and also exercise further force in
throwing. Also, the weightlifter in doing push
technique tries to make ready to extensor muscles
of his hip joint to 2nd phase with more acceleration
than extensor muscles of his knee and ankle joints,
by creating tension in these muscles. In the study
conducted by Tony Bauer and Lisa Isaac titled
"the aim of analyzing weightlifting kinematic in
clean and jerk", the results of information were in
line with creating a quantitative and qualitative
perceive from techniques. So that these
movements have more efficient for coaching
techniques or they cause to some changes in them.
In 2nd phase, in push technique, weightlifters use

Seyed Ehsan Jahed, et al. 1092

 Comparing Kinematic Characteristics of Two Snatch and Push Techniques in Male Weightlifters
further from body and hip extensors means
extensors of hip joint and then from extensors of
knee joint for creating acceleration in releasing
these joint but in ankle they use further from
planter flexion and originally from releasing ankle
joint in snatch technique; so, weightlifters enjoy
better from linear parameters and try to throw
weight to higher height with more effort and by
jumping upward and they should do this work by
releasing hip and knee joints completely and
linear upward moving of hip and leg organs. But
they may do less planter flexion in 2 nd phase than
snatch techniquebecause they, in 3rd phase of push
technique, have limit time for putting their planter
on the ground. A research titled "the relationship
between running weightlifting with kinetic and
kinematic patterns of hip, knee and ankle joints"
conducted by Kristof Kip et al. in the aim of
identifying the correlation between weightlifting
performance and biomechanics variables and in
this research kinetic and kinematic data
measurement, while the participants used 85% of
their maximum power (1RM), this moment was
recorded by camera and FP simultaneously and
reported that there is cooperation among lower
limbs during Olympic weightlifting.
In 3rd phase, in push technique, weightlifters tries
further to create acceleration in hip joint's flexion
and coming the body forward and also create
acceleration in knee joint's flexion to go under the
weight. But the reason for more kinetic skirt of hip
and ankle in push technique than snatch one may
be body flexion of weightlifters towards front of
body and keeping the angle of knee joint in doing
underrun step in push technique. In snatch
technique because weightlifter's leg is thrown
onward, horizontal acceleration of hip, vertical
acceleration of hip, vertical acceleration of leg,
horizontal movement of hip, general movement of
hip, horizontal movement of leg, and general
movement of leg in push technique is less than
snatch one but because of time limitation of
weightlifter's leg dangle and also because of short
of distance in putting planter on the ground in
push technique, horizontal acceleration of leg,
Seyed Ehsan Jahed, et al.
vertical acceleration of leg in push technique is
more that snatch one. Jason Lake et al. conducted
a study on 7 weightlifters whose aim of studying
was mechanical examination of vertical and
snatch jumping movements especially in catch
phase. Because the snatch movement included in
power programs and flexibility of weightlifter and
this research proved the reason for using from
snatch movements in power programs and
flexibility and reported that during snatch
movement, the rate of developing peak force was
similar to run of vertical jumping. The aim of
conducting this research by Daniel J.Cleather et
al. was computation of internal forces of joint
which tolerated by lower limb during vertical and
push jumping, by special emphasizing on the
forces tolerated by knee while lowering and also
said that all joint contact forces in hip and knee
joints during vertical jumping are larger than
pressure of push movement.
CONCLUSION
In general, the results show that weightlifters in
push technique have further used from
acceleration of angular movements and kinetic
skirt of joints and also from acceleration of linear
movements in lower limbs. So, we can state the
result of this research in a way that push technique
has caused to create effort and exercise more
acceleration than snatch technique in running
lifting movements in weightlifters and athletic has
to use further from his body levers for creating
torque and more acceleration.
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2. Arshi, Ahmad Reza, 2006, introducing sport
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3. AkkusHasan. Kinematic analysis of the snatch
lift with elite female weightlifters during the
2010 world weightlifting championship.(2011).
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 Comparing Kinematic Characteristics of Two Snatch and Push Techniques in Male Weightlifters

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snatch movement and vertical jump:similarities
and differences.(2009).
5. Bauer Tony. Biomechanical analysis for the
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6. Cleather Daniel J. Hip and knee joint loading
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7. KippKristof. Kinematic and kinetic synergies
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8. Lake Jason. Exploring the biomechanical
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