TABLE 2.
Basic Characteristics, Information About Training and Competitions, and Lifestyle of Powerliftersa
| n | All (N = 104) | Men (n = 51) | Women (n = 53) | P Value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age, y | 103 | 28.3 ± 7.6 | 30.1 ± 8.8 | 26.7 ± 5.8 | .06b |
| Height, cm | 104 | 171.4 ± 9.2 | 177.5 ± 7.1 | 165.4 ± 6.8 | .00c |
| Weight, kg | 104 | 79.9 ± 17.6 | 90.9 ± 15.2 | 69.6 ± 13.0 | .00b |
| Powerlifting experience, y | 104 | 3.6 ± 4.7 | 5.1 ± 6.2 | 2.2 ± 1.9 | .00b |
| Competing in powerlifting, y | 104 | 2.8 ± 4.1 | 4.0 ± 5.5 | 1.6 ± 1.5 | .00b |
| Powerlifting training, h/wk | 104 | 7.4 ± 3.1 | 8.1 ± 3.1 | 6.8 ± 3.0 | .04c |
| Powerlifting training, times/wk | 104 | 3.6 ± 1.2 | 3.8 ± 1.2 | 3.5 ± 1.2 | .17c |
| Squat training, times/wk | 104 | 2.2 ± 1.0 | 2.1 ± 1.0 | 2.3 ± 0.9 | .23b |
| Bench-press training, times/wk | 104 | 2.3 ± 1.1 | 2.3 ± 1.1 | 2.3 ± 0.9 | .59b |
| Dead-lift training, times/wk | 104 | 1.6 ± 0.8 | 1.5 ± 0.8 | 1.7 ± 0.9 | .10b |
| Competitions, times during past year | 104 | 3.0 ± 1.8 | 2.8 ± 1.7 | 3.2 ± 1.8 | .31b |
| Personal best in squat, kg | 103 | 152.5 ± 48.0 | 196.5 ± 24.6 | 111.0 ± 18.1 | .00c |
| Personal best in bench press, kg | 104 | 101.2 ± 41.4 | 140.0 ± 20.7 | 64.0 ± 10.1 | .00c |
| Personal best in dead lift, kg | 103 | 182.5 ± 50.7 | 229.0 ± 26.7 | 138.6 ± 18.1 | .00c |
| Engage in other forms of physical activity than powerlifting | 104 | 56 (53.8) | 20 (39.2) | 36 (67.9) | .00d |
| Wear a lifting belt during squat training (0-10; 0 never, 10 always) | 104 | 5.6 ± 2.6 | 5.3 ± 2.9 | 5.9 ± 2.4 | .98e |
| Wear a lifting belt during dead-lift training (0-10; 0 never, 10 always) | 104 | 5.6 ± 2.8 | 5.3 ± 2.9 | 6.0 ± 2.6 | .53e |
| Wear lifting straps during training (0-10; 0 never, 10 always) | 104 | 1.6 ± 2.5 | 2.5 ± 2.9 | 0.7 ± 1.4 | .00e |
| Have a coach/trainer | 104 | 70 (67.3) | 27 (52.9) | 43 (81.1) | .00d |
| Who helps with technique | 70 | 61 (87.1) | 23 (85.2) | 38 (88.4) | .70d |
| Who helps with injuries | 70 | 10 (14.3) | 4 (14.8) | 6 (14.0) | .92d |
| Who helps with training program | 70 | 48 (68.6) | 16 (59.3) | 32 (74.4) | .18d |
| Have dietary issues | 104 | 26 (25.0) | 1 (2.0) | 25 (47.2) | .00f |
| Regularly and knowingly lose weight before competitions | 104 | 60 (57.7) | 28 (54.9) | 32 (60.4) | .57d |
| Use/have used illegal supplements | 104 | 4 (3.8) | 1 (2.0) | 3 (5.7) | .62f |
| Drink ≤4 standard glasses of alcohol per week | 104 | 94 (90.4) | 45 (88.2) | 49 (92.5) | .52f |
| Have never smoked cigarettes | 104 | 81 (77.9) | 45 (88.2) | 36 (67.9) | .01d |
| Have never used snuff | 103 | 68 (65.4) | 30 (58.8) | 38 (71.7) | .13d |
aData are shown as mean ± SD or n (%) unless otherwise specified.
bMann-Whitney U test between men and women.
cIndependent-samples t test between men and women.
dChi-square test to analyze between sex and variables regarding training planning and coaching, other forms of physical activity, and questions regarding lifestyle factors.
eMedian test to analyze between sex and variables regarding training planning and coaching, other forms of physical activity, and questions regarding lifestyle factors.
fFisher exact test to analyze between sex and variables regarding training planning and coaching, other forms of physical activity, and questions regarding lifestyle factors.