The physics of how Olympic weightlifters exploit the barbell's "whip"

Researchers are examining barbell “whip” in Olympic weightlifting and how lifters may use it to improve performance.

Bar stiffness, material, and shaft-sleeve coupling can affect how much the bar bends and how it rotates.

Different metals and sleeve designs, including stainless steel, chrome-coated steel, bearing sleeves, and bushing sleeves, may change bar behavior.

The team plans to gather data from real Olympic weightlifters to better understand how athletes exploit whip and to inform future bar design.