Ep. 273 - Biomechanics for Powerlifting feat Dr. Wes Goodman

May 6, 2024

Dr. Wes Goodman, a Biomechanics and Motor Control PhD holder, discusses how musculoskeletal modeling can help understand squat performance. They debunk myths in powerlifting biomechanics, emphasize external cues for performance enhancement, and delve into cognitive versus ecological perspectives in motor control theory. Topics include skill acquisition through varied practice, squat biomechanics comparison, and future directions in powerlifting analysis.

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Introduction

00:00 • 6min

Biomechanics in Powerlifting: Myths and Realities

05:55 • 28min

Enhancing Powerlifting Performance Through External Cues and Attentional Focus

33:45 • 3min

Exploring Dominant Theories in Motor Control: Cognitive vs Ecological Perspectives

37:00 • 6min

Enhancing Skill Acquisition Through Varied Practice

42:37 • 24min

The Biomechanics of Squats: High Bar vs Low Bar

01:06:53 • 4min

In-depth Analysis of Muscle Function in Powerlifting Squats

01:11:02 • 3min

Biomechanical Analysis and Future Directions in Powerlifting

01:13:49 • 21min

Wes Goodman recently completed his PhD in Exercise and Nutrition Science with an emphasis in Biomechanics and Motor Control at Montana State University under Dr. David Graham with our very own Dr. Helms on his committee as well. But he’s more than an academic, he’s a certified strength and conditioning specialist, gym owner, power lifter, strong man and Highland Games competitor! He studied how musculoskeletal modelling can help us understand the nuances of how the body performs squats. In this episode you’ll learn about the theory and application of motor control to lifting, the limitations of common biomechanics studies, and how modelling helps us understand that muscles can influence joints they don’t actually cross, and to Omar’s dismay, that a calf raise might actually be a squat accessory exercise!

00:00 Addressing the controversy before introducing our guest Sooper Gforce

Iron Culture Ep 269- Are Social Media PhDs Ruining Fitness? (feat Dr. Milo Wolf, Max Coleman & Dr. Pak) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgp9h5D0yqI

Enes 2024 Effects of Different Weekly Set Progressions on Muscular Adaptations in Trained Males: Is There a Dose-Response Effect? https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37796222/

04:37 Introducing Wes Goodman and what is biomechanics?

13:15 Necromechanics, what we can measure with biomechanics and its limitations

Iron Culture Ep. 163- All About EMG and Hypertrophy (ft. Andrew Vigotsky) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIccFeOknew

28:45 The degrees of freedom problem and clarifying

37:00 The dominant theories on motor control and neuroscience

45:04 Motor learning strategies in lifting and the theoretical/philosophical perspective

58:45 Cuing in (power)lifting and the approaches to providing feedback as coach

1:06:53 Wes’ PhD research: the intricacies of muscle function within tasks

1:20:05 Modelling in science and furthering our understanding of squat biomechanics

1:24:55 Wes’ initial thoughts on his data regarding the calves

1:29:29 Closing out and where to find Wes

Website: https://likeironstrong.com

IG: @likeironstrong_wes https://www.instagram.com/likeironstrong_wes/

ResearchGate https://www.researchgate.net/profile/William-Goodman-12