Calculating powerlifting scores to determine the performance of lifters across different weight classes.
In the world of powerlifting, comparing lifters across different body weights is essential to /determine relative strength and fairness in competition. This is where the DOTS score—short for “Dynamic Objective Team Scoring”—comes into play. It’s a widely-used formula that helps level the playing field by standardizing performances regardless of a lifter’s body weight. Whether you’re new to powerlifting or a seasoned competitor, understanding the DOTS score is crucial for evaluating progress and competing effectively. This section is from powerliftpro.
The DOTS score is a mathematical formula used to normalize powerlifting totals based on a lifter’s body weight. It provides a single number that represents a lifter’s relative strength, allowing for fair comparisons across all weight classes.
The score takes into account:
For real powerlifting nerds who want to calculate their DOTS longhand (remember to show all work! sorry, old math class joke), the DOTS formula is as follows:
DOTS Score=Total Weight Lifted (kg)×a+b(BW)+c(BW2)+d(BW3)+e(BW4)500
Here:
These coefficients are carefully designed to balance the advantage heavier lifters might have in absolute strength and the lighter lifters’ advantage in relative strength.
use crate::poly4;
use opltypes::*;
pub fn dots_coefficient_men(bodyweightkg: f64) -> f64 {
const A: f64 = -0.0000010930;
const B: f64 = 0.0007391293;
const C: f64 = -0.1918759221;
const D: f64 = 24.0900756;
const E: f64 = -307.75076;
// Bodyweight bounds are defined; bodyweights out of range match the boundaries.
let adjusted = bodyweightkg.clamp(40.0, 210.0);
500.0 / poly4(A, B, C, D, E, adjusted)
}
pub fn dots_coefficient_women(bodyweightkg: f64) -> f64 {
const A: f64 = -0.0000010706;
const B: f64 = 0.0005158568;
const C: f64 = -0.1126655495;
const D: f64 = 13.6175032;
const E: f64 = -57.96288;
// Bodyweight bounds are defined; bodyweights out of range match the boundaries.
let adjusted = bodyweightkg.clamp(40.0, 150.0);
500.0 / poly4(A, B, C, D, E, adjusted)
}
/// Calculates Dots points.
///
/// Dots were introduced by the German IPF Affiliate BVDK after the IPF switched to
/// IPF Points, which do not allow comparing between sexes. The BVDK hosts team
/// competitions that allow lifters of all sexes to compete on a singular team.
///
/// Since Wilks points have been ostracized from the IPF, and IPF Points are
/// unsuitable, German lifters therefore came up with their own formula.
///
/// The author of the Dots formula is Tim Konertz <[email protected]>.
///
/// Tim says that Dots is an acronym for "Dynamic Objective Team Scoring,"
/// but that they chose the acronym before figuring out the expansion.
pub fn dots(sex: Sex, bodyweight: WeightKg, total: WeightKg) -> Points {
if bodyweight.is_zero() || total.is_zero() {
return Points::from_i32(0);
}
let coefficient: f64 = match sex {
Sex::M | Sex::Mx => dots_coefficient_men(f64::from(bodyweight)),
Sex::F => dots_coefficient_women(f64::from(bodyweight)),
};
Points::from(coefficient * f64::from(total))
}
The IPF Good Lift Coefficient calculator computes the comparative weight coefficient between weight lifters based on the weight of the lifter (x), the type of lift and the gender of the lifter, all combined in the IPF GL Coefficient formula. Information about this is from IPF.
INSTRUCTIONS: Choose units and enter the following:
IPFL GL Coefficient (IPC): The calculator returns the coefficient as a real number (decimal).
The International Powerlifting Federation GL coefficient formula is:
IPC=100A−B⋅e−C⋅BWT