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

Iron Culture

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

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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

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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