Optimal control approach to Olympic weightlifting exercise: Minimal model of the snatch pull
General Physics
2025-10-24 v1
Abstract
We theoretically investigate the biomechanical aspects of Olympic weightlifting within the framework of optimal control theory. The squared force and the rate of force development (RFD) defined by the time derivative of the force are taken into account in the evaluation functions of the first and second pull phases of the snatch motion. Focusing on the vertical trajectory of the barbell, we develop a minimal model to describe the mechanical characteristics of the weightlifting exercise. The calculated barbell trajectory agrees well with the experimental data obtained by video analysis. Our study would be useful for the further development of mathematical models for weightlifting motions and related exercises.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.2510.19841,
title = {Optimal control approach to Olympic weightlifting exercise: Minimal model of the snatch pull},
author = {Hiroyuki Tajima and Hideyuki Nagao and Kenya Tanaka and Hideaki Nishikawa and Eishiro Murakami and Akito Ida and Masataka Watanabe},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2510.19841},
year = {2025}
}
Comments
7 pages, 2 figures