Work

Optimal power load ranges for the power clean and hang power clean weight‐lifting derivatives: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Year: 2026

Type: review

Study designs: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis

Abstract: The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the impact of different loads on the output power of the power clean (PC) and hang power clean (HPC). A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and EBSCO identified 14 eligible studies involving 197 participants. The results of the meta-analysis showed that compared to low loads (≤40% one-repetition maximum [1RM]), moderate-to-high (>40% to ≤70% 1RM), high (>70% to ≤85% 1RM), and very high loads (>85% 1RM) produced greater acute peak power in both the PC (SMD = 0.58, 95% CI [0.17, 0.98]; SMD = 0.80, 95% CI [0.39, 1.21]; SMD = 0.68, 95% CI [0.16, 1.20] respectively) and the HPC (SMD = 0.58, 95% CI [0.28, 0.88]; SMD = 0.80, 95% CI [0.20, 1.40]; SMD = 0.94, 95% CI [0.55, 1.32] respectively) (all p < 0.01). In contrast, pairwise differences among Zones 2-4 were small to trivial and statistically nonsignificant for both the PC (SMD = 0.23, 0.19, and 0.06, respectively) and the HPC (SMD = 0.18, 0.01, and -0.21, respectively), consistent with a plateau in the power-load relationship once loads exceed 40% 1RM. Thus, the present evidence supports loads >40% 1RM as a broad range for high acute peak power expression. Pairwise comparisons among the >40% to ≤70%, >70% to ≤85%, and >85% 1RM zones did not demonstrate statistical superiority of any single higher-load range.

Source: Physiological Reports

DOI: 10.14814/phy2.71154

Authors: Jiaxuan Sun, Yiming Wu, Yifan Zhang, Lijun Shi, Li Li

Institutions: General Administration of Sport of China, Beijing Sport University, Shaanxi Normal University

Language: English

Topic: Sports Performance and Training

Subfield: Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,050