Which derivation of the power clean, from floor or block produces the greatest rate of force development?

Abstract

The aim of the investigation was to determine which derivations of the power clean (floor or block) produced the greatest Rate of Force Development (RFD). University female rugby players (n = 12; age 20.6 ± 1.2 years; height 167.4 ± 7.7 cm; body mass 73.6 ± 11.9kg) performed 3 sets of 1 repetition of the clean pull from floor and repeated the same protocol from blocks. 100% of 1-repetition maximum power clean was used. A BMS linear transducer was used to collect data on Maximal Rate of Force Development (MRFD), Peak Force (PFz) and Peak Power Output (PPO). Comparisons between the pairs of data were conducted via paired t-tests. Reliability between each subject’s 3 attempts was calculated via Intraclass Correlations (ICC). Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference (p > 0.05) between MRFD from floor or block (16 663.17 ± 2 077.80 N•s-1 and 16 872.58 ± 1 960.26 N•s-1 respectively) however, significantly (p < 0.05) higher PFz was seen from blocks (1049.97 ± 236.36 N) than from floor (835.79 ± 287.40 N). PPO also showed a significant difference but with an increase from the floor (1159.28 ± 251.11W) rather than from blocks (983.78 ±105.38 W). High reliability was seen in MRFD (r = 0.97) whereas PFz and PPO displayed significantly less (r = 0.3 – 0.59). From these results it can be suggested that the use of blocks leads to similar or improved MRFD. This informs strength and conditioning coaches that the same or more gains in MRFD can be made from the simplified clean pull from blocks. This knowledge allows athletes of all abilities and predicaments to have access to the well – documented benefits that the power clean offers.