Preparation for Powerlifting Competition: A Case Study

Abstract

This study assessed a male competitive powerlifter over a 6-month period that encompassed his pre-contest preparation and post-contest recovery. We conducted the following monthly assessments: multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (MF-BIA), B-mode ultrasound evaluation of muscle thickness (MT), body circumferences, handgrip strength, vertical jump height, isometric lower body strength, and questionnaires for perceived mood and sleep. The athlete undertook a 3-month pre-contest preparatory period that included an extreme energy-restricted diet intended to sufficiently reduce body mass. This period also included an 8-week pre-contest training regimen with a 10-day taper intended to promote peak strength increases in the target lifts for competition. During the pre-competition period, the athlete experienced rapid and substantial losses of body mass (10.3%), body fat (6.5%) and lean mass (3.3%), the majority of which was regained in the 2-month post-competition recovery phase. The athlete's isometric knee extension strength rose sharply during the initial month of the pre-competition phase (336.4 Nm), followed by consistent declines (299 to 262.2 to 283 Nm) over the next 3 months, eventually returning close to baseline values 2 months post- competition Jump height remained steady in the 3 months in the pre-contest phase but increased (+1.4 cm) in the 2 months post-competition while handgrip strength increased during the months preceding the competition (47.5 kg to 49 kg) but decreased to 42.3 cm post-competition. Overall, the athlete did not seem to have any marked sleep disturbances. The most notable changes in mood parameters were increased tension, anger, and depression immediately preceding the competition.