A Review Study on Olympic Weightlifting

Abstract

Olympic weightlifting represents a multifaceted athletic discipline performed at the international level, demanding exceptional technical proficiency, maximal muscular strength, and refined neuromuscular coordination. The purpose of this review is to synthesize current scientific evidence addressing the primary determinants of performance, technical execution, muscular morphology, and anthropometric characteristics, as well as age- and sex-related variations, injury risks, and preventive strategies unique to Olympic weightlifting. This study provides a comprehensive examination of the sport’s principal technical phases, the snatch and the clean and jerk, by analyzing the barbell’s kinematic trajectory, force generation profiles, muscle activation patterns, and motor learning mechanisms. Evidence from the literature concerning muscular morphology highlights the association of cross-sectional area and thickness of key muscle groups—particularly the multifidus and vastus lateralis with both performance efficiency and spinal stability. Anthropometric indicators were evaluated relative to performance, accounting for morphological variations across age groups and weight categories. The influence of sex-based differences on injury types and risk profiles was also discussed. The existing literature further indicates that weightlifting training, when properly supervised and accompanied by appropriate technical instruction, can be safely implemented in children and adolescent athletes. This review not only provides a scientific perspective on Olympic weightlifting but also aims to deliver comprehensive, practice-oriented insights for sport scientists, coaches, and health professionals involved in athlete development and injury prevention.