The purpose of this master's thesis was to investigate the relationship between motor abilities and performance in olympic weightlifting. We were also interested in differences between experienced and inexperienced weightlifters, as this would help to explain the relationship. In addition to measuring the mechanical variables of the lifts, we also measured the kinematic variables, as in Olympic weightlifting technique of the lift is crucial for a successful performance. Ten experienced weightlifters (age 30,2 ± 7,9 years; body weight 95,6 ± 9,4 kg) and 12 inexperienced weightlifters (age 25,0 ± 4,6 years; body weight 85,0 ± 8,1 kg) were included in the study. Measurements were performed in two visits. In the first visit, subjects performed hang power clean (NA) and hang clean pull (VL). The lifts were performed with four incremental loads. In the second visit, subjects performed motor ability tests, namely 20 m sprint (S20), which also included 5 m sprint (S5) and 10 m sprint (S10), modified agility T-test (TT), squat jump (SJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ). We found no differences between experienced and inexperienced weightlifters in the motor ability tests (all p > 0,05). In NA, we found differences between groups in peak power output (Pmax) and rate of force development (RFD) (both p < 0,05). For VL, we found differences between groups in the distance between lowest and highest points of the olympic bar (razdalja), maximum velocity (vmax) and Pmax (all p < 0,01). We did not find a correlation between mechanical variables of NA and VL and motor ability tests in the whole sample (all p > 0,05). For experienced lifters, we found a correlation between Pmax in NA and SJ and RFD in NA and TT (both p < 0,05). In inexperienced lifters, we found a correlation between vmax at NA and S5 and S10 (both p < 0,05), peak force (Fmax) at VL and S5, S20 and TT (all p < 0,05), and Pmax at VL and S5 (p < 0,05). We found differences between groups in kinematic variables, namely maximum horizontal displacement of the olympic bar from the starting position during the transition phase (HO1) in NA and VL (both p < 0,01) and maximum horizontal displacement of the olympic bar from the starting position during the receiving and fixation phase (HO3) in NA (p < 0,05). We did not find any correlation between mechanical and kinematic variables within groups (all p > 0,05). According to the results obtained, we can state that there is a correlation between mechanical variables of the lifts and motor ability tests, and there are also differences between experienced and inexperienced lifters. It is necessary to put emphasis on learning correct technique of lifts, and further studies should also consider limitations of the master thesis, where even clearer results could be obtained.
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