SPINAL INJURIES IN WEIGHTLIFTERS AND POWERLIFTERS: A NARRATIVE ANALYSIS
Abstract
Introduction and Objective: The growing popularity of weightlifting and powerlifting has been accompanied by an increased incidence of spinal injuries, posing significant health and career risks for athletes. This narrative analysis aims to synthesize existing evidence to identify key risk factors, injury mechanisms, and the prevalence of spinal injuries across cervical, thoracic, and lumbar segments in these disciplines.
Review Methods: A narrative analysis was conducted using PubMed and Scopus databases. The study focused on peer-reviewed articles addressing spinal injuries, biomechanical factors, and injury prevention strategies in weightlifting and powerlifting. Limitations included variability in study quality, a limited number of targeted publications, and potential underreporting of injuries.
State of Knowledge: Spinal injuries predominantly affect the lumbar region (28–59% of cases), driven by extreme mechanical loads during exercises like the deadlift, with disc herniation and chronic pain as common outcomes. Thoracic injuries (1.7–44%) are less frequent but linked to myogelosis and spondylolisthesis, while cervical injuries are rare (1–3%) but include severe cases such as Jefferson fractures. Chronic pain, however, is prevalent across all segments, with 52% of weightlifters reporting annual cervical pain. Technical errors, training overload, and fatigue were identified as primary injury risk factors, contributing to 31% and 81% of cases, respectively.
Conclusion: Spinal injuries, particularly in the lumbar spine, remain a critical concern in weightlifting and powerlifting. Injury prevention should prioritize technique refinement, load management, and fatigue mitigation. Further high-quality studies are needed to address gaps in injury reporting and longitudinal outcomes.
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