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