The effects of repeated snatch lifts on lumbar spine mechanics in high-intensity functional trained athletes

This study aimed to determine if lumbar spine joint mechanics altered during a power snatch protocol. Eighteen high-intensity functional training (HIFT) athletes performed two countermovement jumps (CMJ) before and after a 30-repetition power snatch protocol at 70% of one repetition maximum. Three-dimensional kinematics and kinetics were collected simultaneously during the power snatch protocol. Average data from five events of the second and third, and twenty-ninth and thirtieth power snatches were compared. At the end of the power snatch protocol, there was a significant decrease in CMJ height (5.4 cm). The power snatch protocol showed a significant decrease in T12-L1 intervertebral joint extension angle (5.3°, p = 0.04; g = 0.65) at the recovery event. Velocity significantly (p = 0.03–0.05), moderately (g = 0.52–0.75) increased for the T12-L1 left rotation (23 °.s−1) and L5-S1 right rotation (23.9 °.s−1) at the end of the second pull event, whereas L5-S1 right lateral flexion velocity (17.8 °.s−1) decreased at the catch event. Finally, the L5-S1 flexor moment (−4.06 Nm) significantly changed to an extensor moment (0.46 Nm) at the transition event (p = 0.018, g = 0.75). These findings suggest that substantial neuromuscular impairment induced by high-intensity repeated power snatches does not necessarily result in a decline of lumbar spine lifting mechanics, rather athletes may elicit a protective ‘stiffening’ of the spinal region.