Exercise-Induced Acute Physiological Responses of Velocity, Power and Temperature in Paralympic and Conventional Powerlifting Athletes

BACKGOUND: In powerlifting, velocity indicators and skin temperature have been utilized to control training loads for both conventional athletes and athletes with disabilities.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate maximum velocity (Vmax), mean propulsive velocity (MPV), power output, and skin temperature (ST) following a 5x5 training session at 80% 1RM in conventional powerlifters (CP) and powerlifters with disabilities (PD).METHODS: 24 male athletes (12 CP and 12 PD) underwent a 5x5 training session at 80% 1RM. Post-session, velocity indicators, power output, and ST were assessed at 45% 1RM.RESULTS: Only the CP group exhibited significant differences in Vmax (P < 0.015), MPV (P < 0.007), and power output (P < 0.022) between time points. Regarding ST, only the PD group showed differences (P < 0.004) in the sternal portion of the pectoralis major. For the long head of the triceps brachii, differences were observed between groups in the post-session measurement (P > 0.024) and for the PD group only in the post-session measurement (P < 0.002).CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that following a traditional training session (80% 1RM), assessments at 45% 1RM revealed different kinetics in velocity, power output, and ST measures between CP and PD groups. These findings suggest that within the same sport discipline, training variables may have distinct impacts across different categories of athletes.