Does Grip Influence Isometric Force Production in Competitive Weightlifters? A Comparison of Snatch and Clean Grips at the Starting Position and Midthigh Pull

Abstract

Flores, FJ, Kipp, K, Haff, GG, Comfort, P, Lama-Arenales, J, Jiménez-Ormeño, E, and Soriano, MA. Does grip influence isometric force production in competitive weightlifters? A comparison of snatch and clean grips at the starting position and midthigh pull. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000–000, 2026—The aim of this study was to explore the associations between peak force in the isometric midthigh pull (IMTP) and the isometric starting position pull (ISPP) assessments, using the snatch and clean grip variations, with the snatch and clean and jerk performances. Thirty-two male ( n = 19, age: 19.0 ± 1.3 years) and female ( n = 13, age: 19.1 ± 2.0 years) competitive weightlifters participated. Weightlifting performance was evaluated as the heaviest successful snatch and clean and jerk during competition. Absolute and relative forces during the ISPP and IMTP with the snatch and clean grips were measured using a force plate system in 2 testing sessions. Paired sample t-tests were conducted to explore any differences between the snatch and clean grips for the ISPP and IMTP positions. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between weightlifting and isometric performance. Weightlifters had a significantly ( p ≤ 0.002) lower performance when using the snatch compared with the clean grip during the ISPP and IMTP, with trivial effect sizes (Cohen's g = 0.1). Isometric performance using the snatch and clean grips had very strong to nearly perfect correlations ( p < 0.001, r = 0.83–0.96) with weightlifting performance. Fisher's r-z transformation indicated that the differences between correlation coefficients obtained across grip configurations and pull positions were not statistically significant ( p > 0.006). The ISPP and IMTP, using the clean or snatch grip, are valuable tools for identifying specific strength deficits and guiding training in weightlifting.