Velocity- and Power-Oriented Force-Velocity Characteristics Differentiate Competitive Olympic-Style Weightlifting Performance.

Background: This study examined the associations between dynamic maximum strength (front squat [FS] and clean [CL]), lower-limb vertical force-velocity (F-V) profile characteristics, and both absolute and scaled measures of competitive weightlifting performance in trained weightlifters. Methods: Fourteen competitive male weightlifters (age: 27.6 ± 4.2 years; height: 1.74 ± 0.05 m; body mass: 85.1 ± 6.7 kg; body fat: 11.7 ± 2.8%) completed three testing sessions separated by 48-72 h, including 1-RM assessment in the FS and CL, as well as vertical countermovement jump trials to determine individual force-velocity profile parameters (F0, V0, and Pmax). Official competition results obtained within the same competitive season were recorded for the snatch (SN), clean and jerk (C&J), total (TOT), and Sinclair score. Participants were additionally divided into higher and moderate jump performance groups using a median split of unloaded countermovement jump height. Results: Very strong correlations were found between 1-RM strength (FS and CL) and weightlifting performance, with CL showing the strongest associations with SN (r = 0.82), C&J (r = 0.93), and TOT (r = 0.94). Among F-V parameters, V0 and Pmax were significantly associated with competitive outcomes (r = 0.63-0.70), whereas F0 was not. V0 was significantly associated with SN (r = 0.69), C&J (r = 0.63), and TOT (r = 0.70), while F0 showed trivial-to-small associations (r = 0.08-0.28). When participants were divided using a median split of CMJ height, higher jumpers exhibited greater V0 (3.02 ± 0.30 vs. 2.61 ± 0.23 m·s-1, p = 0.014, g = 1.4) and relative Pmax (32.44 ± 2.65 vs. 27.28 ± 1.06 W·kg-1, p = 0.001, g = 2.4), despite similar F0 (p = 0.67). Higher jumpers also demonstrated superior SN (p = 0.016, g = 1.4), C&J (p = 0.041, g = 1.1), TOT (p = 0.018, g = 1.4), and Sinclair scores (p = 0.001, g = 2.1). Conclusions: In trained weightlifters, performance was strongly associated with maximal strength, while velocity- and power-oriented characteristics (V0 and Pmax) were also associated with performance outcomes. In contrast, F0 showed no meaningful associations with performance within this sample. These findings suggest that, among already strength-trained athletes, the ability to express force at higher contraction velocities may be associated with differences in competitive performance.