FOR RELEASE: On Receipt
ALBANY, N.Y., March 19, 1998 ã The leather weightlifting belts worn by many people while working out at health clubs may hinder development of back and abdominal muscles and are not needed by most weightlifters, according to a study by Sohail Ahmad, M.D., chief resident physician in orthopedic surgery at Albany Medical Center.
While about a quarter of weightlifters wear the belts during workouts, the study concludes, ≥we do not advocate the routine use of these belts during weight training.≤ Dr. Ahmad, a weightlifter for many years himself, presented the research today at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 65th annual meeting in New Orleans.
During the two years of the study, the subjects who wore belts and those who did not showed the same rate of improvement in muscle strength for lifting, but those who wore belts lagged behind in development of abdominal and lower back strength.
Dr. Ahmad said people who do not wear belts while lifting weights use more of their abdominal and back muscles to balance the load. ≥As a result, they are increasing their muscle strength in these areas,≤ he said. The subjects demonstrated this in periodic evaluations by performing more repetitions of exercises that involved the abdomen and back.
Standard leather weightlifting belts that support the lower back have long been used to decrease the incidence of injury and to maximize lifting capacity. Dr. Ahmadπs study shows that using belts may make it easier to lift heavy loads, but using belts does not impact strength gains or the rate of injury.
≥People may use the belts if they desire, but theyπll probably get a better workout without one. Some people may find the belt helps them feel secure, and thatπs all right,≤ Dr. Ahmad said. ≥If it comes down to working out with a belt, or simply not working out, youπre much better off wearing it and getting that exercise.≤
The study was conducted at a gym where Dr. Ahmad worked out while he was a resident at Albert Einstein Medical Center in New York City. The evaluations continued after Dr. Ahmad came to Albany Med in 1996.
He divided 50 males into two groups. Both groups performed a regimen of weightlifting exercises ã chest presses, pull-ups, shoulder presses, biceps curls, triceps extensions, squats and calf raises ã three times a week for two years. They also performed abdominal crunches and back hyperextensions, an exercise in which the person flexes forward and then extends, similar to a reverse sit-up. Both groups were tested at six-month intervals in two categories: how much weight they could lift and how many uninterrupted crunches and back hyperextensions they could do.
People who have jobs that involve heavy lifting may find that the belts give some support and may alleviate discomfort, he said, but for weightlifting, belts are usually unnecessary except perhaps when lifting maximum loads.
Dr. Ahmad cautioned that anyone planning to begin a weight training regimen should first consult with his or her physician.
Albany Medical Center, the only academic health sciences center in the 25-counties of northeastern New York and western New England, includes the 651-bed Albany Medical Center Hospital, the Albany Medical College, the Albany Medical Center Faculty Group Practice and the Albany Medical Center Foundation, Inc.
-30-
For further information or to arrange interviews with Dr. Ahmad, please call Richard Puff, assistant director of public relations, at (518) 262-3421.
RSS