Maintaining Body Composition During a Peaking Phase in Powerlifters

Authors' Affiliations

Benjamin Burke, Center of Excellence for Sport Science and Coach Education, Department of Sport, Exercise, Recreation and Kinesiology, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, USA; Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, KY, USA. Kyle Travis, Department of Allied Health Professions, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA, USA; K9 Muscle Physiology & Performance Lab, Beaux & Co. Research Foundation, TN, USA. Michael Stone, Center of Excellence for Sport Science and Coach Education, Department of Sport, Exercise, Recreation and Kinesiology, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, USA. Margaret Stone, Center of Excellence for Sport Science and Coach Education, Department of Sport, Exercise, Recreation and Kinesiology, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, USA. Kevin Carroll, Center of Excellence for Sport Science and Coach Education, Department of Sport, Exercise, Recreation and Kinesiology, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, USA.

Location

Culp Center Ballroom

Start Date

4-25-2023 9:00 AM

End Date

4-25-2023 11:00 AM

Poster Number

133

Faculty Sponsor’s Department

Sport, Exercise, Recreation & Kinesiology

Name of Project's Faculty Sponsor

Kevin Carroll

Additional Sponsors

Michael Stone, Margaret Stone

Classification of First Author

Recent Graduate

Competition Type

Non-Competitive

Type

Poster Presentation

Project's Category

Recreation and Leisure Studies

Abstract or Artist's Statement

In sports, peaking phases are often applied prior to important competitions. Peaking phases typically consist of a planned overreach followed by a taper ending with a few days of complete rest. However, during peaking phases, components of body composition such as body mass (BM), fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), and skeletal muscle mass (SMM) have been shown to be negatively impacted, which could compromise performance outcomes. Thus, the purpose of this study was to monitor body composition prior to and immediately after a peaking phase to determine if body composition changes occurred. Twelve powerlifters completed a seven-week training protocol designed to peak powerlifting performance. The first four weeks consisted of strength training designed to standardize participant training prior to the first testing session (T1). Following T1, the participants performed a one-week overreach followed by a one-week step-taper ending with 2 and 4 days of complete rest followed by a second testing session (T2). Each testing session consisted of a) measuring BM, FM, FFM, and SMM via bioelectrical impedance, and b) 1-repetition maximum (1RM) testing on back squat (BS), bench press (BP), and deadlift (DL). 1RM performances were summed together for a Powerlifting Total (PT), and Wilks Scores were applied to determine relative performance changes. There were no statistically significant changes in BM (p > 0.99), FM (p > 0.99), FFM (p > 0.99), or SMM (p > 0.99), suggesting a maintenance of body composition during the peaking phase. There were, however, statistically significant changes in 1RM-BS (p = 0.04), PT (p = 0.05), and Wilks Score (p = 0.02). These data suggest that two-week peaking phase can result in the maintenance of body composition alongside improvements in strength performance.

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Apr 25th, 9:00 AM Apr 25th, 11:00 AM

Maintaining Body Composition During a Peaking Phase in Powerlifters

Culp Center Ballroom

In sports, peaking phases are often applied prior to important competitions. Peaking phases typically consist of a planned overreach followed by a taper ending with a few days of complete rest. However, during peaking phases, components of body composition such as body mass (BM), fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), and skeletal muscle mass (SMM) have been shown to be negatively impacted, which could compromise performance outcomes. Thus, the purpose of this study was to monitor body composition prior to and immediately after a peaking phase to determine if body composition changes occurred. Twelve powerlifters completed a seven-week training protocol designed to peak powerlifting performance. The first four weeks consisted of strength training designed to standardize participant training prior to the first testing session (T1). Following T1, the participants performed a one-week overreach followed by a one-week step-taper ending with 2 and 4 days of complete rest followed by a second testing session (T2). Each testing session consisted of a) measuring BM, FM, FFM, and SMM via bioelectrical impedance, and b) 1-repetition maximum (1RM) testing on back squat (BS), bench press (BP), and deadlift (DL). 1RM performances were summed together for a Powerlifting Total (PT), and Wilks Scores were applied to determine relative performance changes. There were no statistically significant changes in BM (p > 0.99), FM (p > 0.99), FFM (p > 0.99), or SMM (p > 0.99), suggesting a maintenance of body composition during the peaking phase. There were, however, statistically significant changes in 1RM-BS (p = 0.04), PT (p = 0.05), and Wilks Score (p = 0.02). These data suggest that two-week peaking phase can result in the maintenance of body composition alongside improvements in strength performance.