BIOMECHANICAL ANALYSIS OF THE DEADLIFT DURING THE 1999 SPECIAL OLYMPICS WORLD GAMES

Abstract

Sumo and conventional deadlifts and high and low skilled lifters were compared during the 1999 Special Olympics World Games. Two video cameras collected 60 Hz data from 40 subjects, and parameters were quantified at barbell liftoff (LO) and barbell knee passing (KP). The sumo group had a more vertical trunk and horizontal thigh at LO, a less vertical shank at KP, and greater forefoot abduction. The sumo group generated ankle dorsiflexor, knee extensor, and hip extensor moments, while the conventional group produced ankle plantar flexor, knee flexor & extensor, and hip extensor moments. High skilled lifters had a 40% greater barbell load, greater knee flexion at LO and greater knee extension at KP, 15% less vertical bar distance, smaller plantar flexor and hip extensor moment arms at LO and KP, and greater knee extensor moment arms at LO.