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Anthropometry for Weightlifting

Body size and compsition Weightlifters in lower weight categories create a fine balance between fat levels and muscle mass. Being short in statue with short arms can be an advantage for some lifters.



Suggested Anthropometry tests for Weightlifting

Anthropometry and Olympic Athletes

London 2012 Olympic Games

Here is some information from the analysis of the anthropometric data (height, weight and age) from the weight lifting participants at the London 2012 Olympic Games. The weight lifters are shorter though heavier than the average Olympian. The shortest of all Olympic athletes in 2012 was a 21-year-old Tuvaluan weight lifter Lapua Lapua, standing only 1.40m tall.

Sport Age Height (cm) Weight (kg) BMI
OVERALL AVERAGE (all sports) 26.1 176.9 72.8 23.3
Weight lifting (all) 24.6 166.6 77.2 27.3
Weight lifting (females) 24.4 159.9 63.8 24.8
Weight lifting (males) 24.8 171.2 86.4 29.1

Rio 2016 Olympic Games

Here is average data from the analysis of the anthropometric data of the weight lifting participants at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

  Age (years) height (m) weight (kg) BMI
AVERAGE (all sports) 26.8 1.77 72.0 22.9
Weight lifting (all) 25.3 1.67 80.0 28.2
Weight lifting (females) 24.6 1.60 68.8 26.4
Weight lifting (males) 25.8 1.71 87.5 29.3


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