Weight Lifting Research Articles

Design of home intelligent robot of internet of things

An aging society is the challenge we will face and deal with. It is necessary and important to explore the problems and solutions faced by an aging society. In response to this phenomenon, we designed an IoT home smart robot based on ESP8266 and STM32 to improve the quality of life of the elderly. The robot can realize functions such as environmental monitoring, fire warning, electrical power distribution, light control, auxiliary weight lifting, weather forecast, etc. Connecting to the Baidu cloud platform can realize data visualization, allowing children to remotely view the family's data and equipment conditions in the cloud, and has the function of automatically mopping the floor to reduce the burden of housework. On the basis of the mechanical structure design, combined with the current emerging Internet of Things technology and electronic control technology, mechatronics, the research and development cost is low, the function is complete, and it has strong practicability and innovation.

ACQUIRING AND PROCESSING MOVEMENT INFORMATION FROM VARIOUS SOURCES USING INTELLIGENT AI COGNITIVE MODEL FOR SPORTS ACTIVITIES

The overarching purpose of this research is to demonstrate the value of artificial intelligence (AI) strategies in sports for utilising weight lifting policies. In specific, the work centred on the...

Comparing the effects of bascom's cleft lift and crystallized phenol treatment on Type III-V Pilonidal Sinus Disease

Aim: We aimed to compare the efficacy of Bascom cleft lift (BCL) and crystallized phenol application in the treatment of sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus (SPS).Materials and Methods: This study included 83 SPS patients who were divided into two groups for treatment with either BCL (Group 1: n=30) or crystallized phenol (Group 2: n=53). The two groups were compared in terms of patient characteristics, perioperative results, rates of surgical site infection, hematoma and wound dehiscence, times of returning to daily activities, complete healing time and overall patient satisfaction.Results: The median follow-up was 40.3 (38.7-44.7) months. The length of hospital stay was longer in the BCL group than in the crystallized phenol group (P0.001). The median return to work or school was also slower in the BCL group than in the phenol group at 10 (3.2-7.7) and 3 (2-8.7) days, respectively (P=0.002). The phenol group were able to sit pain-free on the toilet earlier than the BCL group in 0.5 (1.1-9.7) and 3 (1.8-10.3) days (P=0.029), and also started lifting weights earlier 14.5 (6-50.2) days vs. 30 (18.1-41.6) days (P=0.011). Moreover, the phenol group reported greater patient satisfaction (P=0.004). On the other hand, the BCL group was more successful than the phenol group in terms of recurrence (P=0.082).Conclusion: Our results suggest that crystallized phenol can achieve higher patient satisfaction, less hospitalization time, and an earlier return to daily activities, school or work. On the other hand, Bascom cleft lift method results in less recurrence than crystallized phenol treatment.

Epidemiology and management of aortic disease: aortic aneurysms and acute aortic syndromes.

The aorta is the 'greatest artery', through which oxygenated blood is delivered from the left ventricle to end organs with each cardiac cycle (200 million litres of blood transported in an average lifetime). The aorta can be affected by a wide spectrum of acute factors (such as cocaine use, weight lifting and trauma) and chronic acquired and/or genetic conditions (such as systemic arterial hypertension and phaeochromocytoma), which variously lead to increased aortic wall stress. The medial layer of the aorta can also be subject to abnormalities (such as Marfan syndrome, bicuspid aortic valve, inflammatory vasculitis, atherosclerosis and infections). Despite important advances in diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, data derived from registries and population-based studies highlight that the burden of aortic diseases remains high. Therefore, specific resources need to be allocated to design and implement preventive strategies (healthy lifestyles, modifications to cardiovascular risk factors, and educational and screening programmes) at individual and community levels. In this Review, we discuss the epidemiology, management and outcomes of the most common aortic diseases, namely, aortic aneurysms and acute aortic syndromes.

Mathematical Modelling of Vehicle Drifting

A mathematical model and condition for drifting of vehicles are presented in this paper. Employing the condition for possible steady-state drifting, the mathematical model of a vehicle with lateral weight lift during turning and drifting as well as adopting a combined tyre force model enables to reduce the number of equations of motion to a set of nonlinear coupled algebraic equations. The solution of the equations are the longitudinal and lateral components of the velocity vector of the vehicle at its mass centre and the vehicle’s yaw rate. The numerical values of the variables are associated with an equilibrium at which the vehicle drifts steadily. The equilibrium point should be analysed for stability by examining for any small disturbance should disappear. The procedure applied to a nominal vehicle indicates that an equilibrium point exists for every given value of the steering angle as the input. Also, it is shown that the equilibrium point is unstable. Hence, to keep the vehicle at the associated steady-state drifting, the value of the yaw rate must be kept constant.

Influence of body mass index and weight lifting on bicep brachii muscle and distal bicep tendon stiffness evaluated using ultrasound elastography

BackgroundThis study aimed to investigate the relationship between stiffness of the bicep brachii muscle (BBM) and distal bicep tendon (DBT) and effects of weight lifting (pre- to post-workout changes) among groups with different body mass indexes (BMI).MethodsParticipants were divided into four groups according to BMI: A, underweight (< 18.5 kg/m2); B, normal (18.5–24.9 kg/m2); C, overweight (25.0–29.9 kg/m2); and D, obese (> 30.0 kg/m2). All participants were males who were untrained and had sedentary lifestyle without involvement in sports activities for the past 12 months. Ultrasonographic measurements to determine muscle and tendon stiffness was performed on the dominant side (i.e., right side) of the upper extremities in all participants.ResultsTwenty-one healthy and untrained males volunteered to participate in this study; 14 were nonsmokers and 7 were smokers. The mean age and BMI were 22.5 ± 1.5 years and 23.8 ± 6.3 kg/m2, respectively. Groups A, B, C, and D had four, ten, four, and three participants, respectively. The BBM thickness did not increase with increase in BMI and was not significantly different (P > .05) between groups. The BBM stiffness was significantly different (all P < .05) from pre- to post-workout values in all groups, whereas DBT stiffness did not follow the same trend.ConclusionsOur study revealed that the BBM thickness is independent of BMI. After weight lifting, BBM stiffness in groups A and B increased for BBM compared to those in groups C and D. A similar trend was also recorded for DBT. Weight lifting in concentric and eccentric motions affects the stiffness of the BBM and DBT, thus weight lifting plays a role in adjusting the stiffness of the BBM and DBT.Trial registration The study was approved by ethics committee of the College of Applied Medical Sciences (CAMS 080-3839; March 14, 2018).

Neoprene Knee Sleeves of Varying Tightness Augment Barbell Squat One Repetition Maximum Performance Without Improving Other Indices of Muscular Strength, Power, or Endurance.

Machek, SB, Cardaci, TD, Wilburn, DT, Cholewinski, MC, Latt, SL, Harris, DR, and Willoughby, DS. Neoprene knee sleeves of varying tightness augment barbell squat one repetition maximum performance without improving other indices of muscular strength, power, or endurance. J Strength Cond Res 35(2S): S6-S15, 2021-Neoprene knee sleeves are commonly used by powerlifters and recreational users but are heavily under-researched. Furthermore, no data exist on whether knee sleeves of varying compressive tightness impact muscular performance similar to commonly used knee wraps, which are both generally effective and more so when increasingly constrictive. Fifteen resistance trained, knee sleeve naive, recreational weight lifting men (22.1 ± 4.1 years; 177.5 ± 5.9 cm; 87.8 ± 7.8 kg) visited the laboratory on 3 separate occasions one week apart, assigned in a randomized, crossover, and counterbalanced fashion to either a minimally supportive control sleeve (CS) condition, a manufacturer-recommended sizing neoprene knee sleeve ("normal" sleeve; NS), or a one size smaller (than NS) neoprene knee sleeve (tighter sleeve [TS]). On each visit, subjects sequentially completed vertical jump (countermovement and squat jumps for both peak and mean power), one repetition maximum (1RM) barbell squat, and GymAware assessments (peak power, peak velocity, and dip) at 90% (reported) and 100% (tested) 1RM as well as one-leg extension (1RM, repetitions to failure, and total volume load at 75% 1RM) tests. All data were analyzed using one-way repeated measures analysis of variance at p < 0.05. Analysis revealed a significant condition effect on barbell squat 1RM (p = 0.003; η2 = 0.339), whereby both NS (p = 0.044; 166 ± 24 kg) and TS (p = 0.019; 166 ± 21 kg) outperformed CS (161 ± 22 kg), with no difference between neoprene sleeves. Conversely, no other tested parameters differed between knee sleeve conditions (p ≥ 0.05). The present results demonstrate that neoprene knee sleeves may function independent of tightness, relative to recommended sizing and ultimately unlike knee wraps. Furthermore, the singular benefits observed on barbell squat maximal strength potentially suggests an exercise-specific benefit yet to be fully elucidated.

The role of sports medicine in physical education

Sports medicine is an area of medical practice concerned with the treatment of injuries resulting from athletic activities. A physician practicing sports medicine focuses on sports-related medical services. This may include preventative measures such as conditioning and injury prevention, as well as treatments such as osteopathic manipulation, rehabilitation, or injections. Sports medicine physicians will often treat athletes with back pain due to strain and injury placed on the back from various sports including bicycling, weight lifting, running, and golf. In the field of physical education and sports, the fields of various sub-disciplines of sports medicine are utilize. Without the knowledge of scope of sports medicine, it is difficult to carry a sportsperson performance at apex level.

The Effect of Special Exercises to Develop Some Physical and Skill Capabilities Using Basketball Auxiliary Materials (3 vs 3) for Youth Players

For weight lifting exercises, these exercises work to develop (the explosive strength of the arms) and (theforce characterized by speed, and the bearing strength of the two legs) as well as developing the skill ofshooting by jumping with two point and through the researcher’s follow-up to the matches, he found thatmany young players lose a lot of physical and skill capabilities with the passage of time, especially in thelast minutes of the game. Due to the lack of interest in some requirements of the training process, including(the explosive strength of the arms) and (the force distinguished by the speed and the bearing strength of thetwo legs) in addition to the skill capabilities chosen in the research as well as the small number of trainingunits, which leads to inconsistency with the requirements and training of physical and skill performance andthe type of muscular work to perform. Hence, the research problem crystallized, as the researcher decided tostudy this topic and prepare special exercises to develop some physical and skill capabilities using auxiliarytools to develop and their impact on the performance of two-point hopping by basketball players for (3 vs3) for youth.

Photoinduced Mechanical Motions of Pseudorotaxane Crystals Composed of Azobenzene and Ferrocenyl Groups on an Axle and a Crown Ether Ring.

This work describes the design and characterization of photoresponsive dynamic pseudorotaxane crystals composed of azobenzene and ferrocenyl groups in an ammonium cation axle component threaded through dibenzo[24]crown-8 ether rings. Pseudorotaxanes provide flexibility for cis and trans isomerization of azobenzene groups in a crystal state, enabling reversible bending motions under alternating 360 and 445 nm laser irradiation. For such bending motions, strained azobenzene structures were essential; these motifs were obtained by increasing the bulkiness of the substituents on the axle and ring molecules. In addition, the crystals showed photosalient effects, such as jumping motions, under 445 nm laser irradiation. These motions were assisted by the photoabsorption of the ferrocenyl group, which converted 445 nm laser light into heat. The maximum lifting weight accompanied by the photoinduced mechanical motion of a particular crystal was estimated to be 9600 times the crystal weight. These pseudorotaxane crystals exhibit promising features for applications in micro-nanometer-sized miniature mechanical devices.

PRIMARY SPONTANEOUS PNEUMOTHORAX IN A YOUNG HEALTHY MALE SECONDARY TO WEIGHT LIFTING: A CASE REPORT AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

SESSION TITLE: Medical Student/Resident Disorders of the Pleura Posters SESSION TYPE: Med Student/Res Case Rep Postr PRESENTED ON: October 18-21, 2020 INTRODUCTION: A primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) is defined as a pneumothorax that occurs without clinically apparent underlying lung disease. Though the etiology of PSP remains a subject of debate, several risk factors have been identified, including tobacco use, male sex, low body mass index, and height [1]. PSP is also infrequently reported secondary to athletic activity, with 10-20% of cases due to heavy exertion, such as running [2]. However, PSP has rarely been reported secondary to weightlifting, with fewer than 5 cases previously known to be published. Here we present a case of PSP secondary to weightlifting in a young healthy male without known risk factors. CASE PRESENTATION: A 30 year-old male active duty member of the Air Force presented to the emergency department with sudden-onset dyspnea and pleuritic chest pain that occurred during a Valsalva maneuver while bench pressing approximately 80 kilograms. Vital signs were within normal limits upon arrival to the emergency department. Plain films of the chest revealed a left apical primary spontaneous pneumothorax with an apical-pleural distance of 7.7 cm. The patient was placed on oxygen, and an 8 French chest tube was placed, which remained on a Heimlich valve overnight. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest without contrast obtained the day after presentation demonstrated near-complete resolution of the pneumothorax without evidence of peripheral pleural blebs. When he presented for follow up one month later, he remained asymptomatic and a repeat plain film did not demonstrate pneumothorax recurrence. The patient denied history of smoking, significant medical history, recent high altitude flying, or any other known risk factors for spontaneous pneumothorax. DISCUSSION: Despite decades of study, the disease process remains poorly understood. Proposed mechanisms include emphysema-like changes leading to rupture of subpleural blebs and absence of mesothelial cells leading diffuse “pleural porosity” leading to slow leak of air [3]. The mechanism of weightlifting-induced pneumothorax is equally unclear, but is theoretically due to increased intrathoracic pressure with long breath holds during Valsalva, as has previously been described in cannabis users. Weightlifting is rarely described as an etiology for PSP, but characterization of this etiology could be important in management, as treatment often differs depending on risk of recurrence. More research is needed to examine specific phenotypes and mechanisms of PSP in order to appropriately tailor management. CONCLUSIONS: Primary spontaneous pneumothorax has been associated with heavy exertion and rarely with weightlifting, but further research is needed to examine this phenotype to tailor treatment based on recurrence risk. Reference #1: Sahn S.A., Heffner J.E. Spontaneous pneumothorax. N Engl J Med 2000;342:868-74. Reference #2: Simoneaux S.F., Murphy B.J., Tehranzadeh J. Spontaneous pneumothorax in a weight lifter: a case report. Am J Sports Med: 1990;18(6):647-48. Reference #3: Grundy S, Bentley A, Tschopp J. Primary spontaneous pneumothorax: a diffuse disease of the pleura. Respiration: 2012;83(3);185-89. DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by John Hunninghake, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Lauren Sattler, source=Web Response

Decline in Relative Strength with Increasing the Body Weight: a Study on Heavy Weight Categories Powerlifters

Relative strength is the amount of strength to the body size. It is the strength to body weight ration. When body size is more, we generally understand that the strength is more with the player. In strength sports like weight lifting, powerlifting the strength of the individual is measured. In weight lifting, the total of snatch, clean and jerk are the factors to decide the winner; however, in powerlifting the total of squat, bench press and deadlift are considered. In this study, 54 senior class powerlifter and 54 junior class powerlifters are treated as subjects. All the subjects from heavy weight categories such as 105kg, 120kg and above 120kg categories are highlighted. The results of the study revealed that the relative strength is decreasing with the increased body weight.

Somatotypes of athletes with physical disabilities and the type of activity they undertake

Background: The issue of scientific measurement of somatotypes of athletes with physical disabilities and the type of physical activity undertaken by them is poorly documented in the literature. The aim of the study is to determine what type of body composition is characteristic of athletes with physical disabilities, engaging in various types of physical activity, such as swimming, sitting volleyball and weight lifting. Material and methods: Sixty men, aged 20-30, were qualified for the study. Each study participant had a motor dysfunction and was in intellectual norm. For the research protocol, Sheldon’s typology in Heath and Carter modification was used. Results: The group of men with physical disabilities practicing swimming regularly had the advantage of endomorphic and mesomorphic components. A similar distribution of components in the somatotype was demonstrated by men playing sitting volleyball. Men lifting weights clearly showed the dominance of the mesomorphic component and, to a small extent, the share of the ectomorphic and endomorphic components. Conclusions: A properly calculated somatotype allows disabled athletes to learn about body composition components and to train and develop more effectively in a particular physical activity.

The Effect of Mobile Wearable Waist Assist Robot on Lower Back Pain during Lifting and Handling Tasks

The rapid growth in nursing demand in P.R.China and the slow increase in the number of qualified nurses has led to a serious increased in workload of existing nurses. Most of their works include heavyweight handling which causes low back pains. Thus a mobile, flexible, comfortable and wearable waist assist device, the Mobile Wearable Waist Assist Robot using pneumatic artificial muscles as power actuators has been developed. The wearer wears the device like a backpack, which can provide wearer the necessary assistance when he lifts loads or performs a static maintenance work, which will reduce the risk of lower back pain. The device is evaluated through an experiment which include three tests - heavy load handling, maximum weight lifting test, and Center of gravity (CoG) trajectory test during static weight lifting. Surface electromyography of erector spinae was recorded during the first test. The iEMG is significantly reduced by about 39% and 27%, respectively (p < 0.05). The angular velocity significantly decreases until the load reaches 35 kg (p < 0.05). When the device is in use, the CoG moving distance is significantly lower than not in use (p < 0.05). These three tests well verified the effectiveness of the Mobile Wearable Waist Assist Robot, which provides waist assists and reduces the risk of lower back pain.

Type 2 diabetes individuals improve C-reactive protein levels after high-intensity weight lift training

Summary Aims Type 2 diabetes (T2D) increases the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Physical exercise, such as weight lifting training (WLT), is a non-pharmacological tool that can be used to prevent or treat T2D and CVD. The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in C-reactive protein (CRP) after 4 weeks of high-intensity WLT in individuals with T2D. Methods The sample was composed by 40 male volunteers, who were divided into 4 groups of 10 individuals each: control, individuals with T2D (D), healthy trained (HT), and individuals with T2D who trained (DT). One maximum repetition test (1RM) was performed to obtain the intense WLT load (80% of 1RM). Exercises were performed 3 times a week during 4 weeks. Statistical analysis was carried out using the Graph Pad Prism 7.0, and the level of significance was set at 5%. Results Hs-CRP, a biomarker that predicts cardiovascular risk, was significantly lowered at DT group (P Conclusions High-intensity WLT decreases CRP levels after 4 weeks, and, therefore,inflammation is reduced in T2D individuals. Lifestyle modifications through physical exercise, specially WLT, can lower the risk of CVD and help managing T2D.

Analysis of Instruction on a University Strength Training Activity Course

This research examined the effects of instruction on experiential knowledge, fitness, self-efficacy, and adherence to strength training of a university weight lifting activity course. Participants (n = 35) were enrolled in two introductory-level university strength training activity courses, which met for 85 min twice a week for 15 weeks. The intervention group was exposed to student-centered instructional strategies based on the Personalized System of Instruction (PSI), which included personalized feedback on each student’s individualized fitness plan. The control group experienced traditional activity course instruction with direct instruction to the whole group. Pre- and posttest assessments were collected and statistical analyses were conducted (p < .05). One-way repeated-measures ANOVA tests revealed univariate statistical differences in fitness measures (push-up, curl-up, and flexed-arm hang), perceived knowledge scores, and the weight management motivation factor of the Exercise Motive and Gains Inventory. Additional differences were observed between groups; however, due to the low number of participants, these differences were not statistically significant. The findings suggest that student-centered instruction in a strength training activity course can benefit student knowledge, fitness, and adherence to a strength training plan. Further research in this area should replicate this study with a greater sample size to determine if the observed differences are statistically significant within a larger research population.Subscribe to TPE

Riscos ocupacionais inerentes aos profissionais do serviço de atendimento móvel de urgência

Objetivo: identificar os riscos ocupacionais inerentes aos profissionais do serviço de atendimento móvel de urgência. Método: estudo descritivo transversal, coletado em março e abril/2019, com profissionais do serviço de atendimento móvel de urgência, em uma capital do Nordeste, com uso de questionário com perguntas fechadas, análise dos dados estatísticos descritivos e qui-quadrado com uso do software Statistical Package for the Social Sciences e com respeito aos princípios éticos da Resolução 466/2012. Resultados: 91 profissionais atuantes, com predomínio do sexo masculino 59 (64,8%), 43 (47,3%) na faixa etária entre 45 a 60 anos, 31 (34,1%) ensino médio completo, 37 (40,7%) técnicos em enfermagem, 56 (61,5%) mais de dez anos de atuação. 91 (100%) apontaram a colisão automobilística e o sangue como os mais frequentes, o risco de fumaça de veículos com 89 (97,8%), ruído de sirene 83 (91,2%), levantamento de peso e o estresse, ambos com 86 (94,5%). Conclusão: predomínio do sexo masculino, adultos, com mais de oito anos de formação, técnicos em enfermagem, com longa data de exercício profissional e alta prevalência de riscos ocupacionais em diferentes categorias, com destaque para risco de colisão automobilística e agressões físicas, contaminação por sangue, ruídos de sirene, fumaças de veículos, levantamento de pesos, estresse situação e agressões verbais.

Comparing the efficiency of ultrasound, ketoprofen, and mucopolysaccharide polysulfate phonophoresis in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis: A randomized-controlled clinical study.

Objectives In this study, we aimed to compare the efficiency of ultrasound, mucopolysaccharide polysulfate phonophoresis, ketoprofen phonophoresis and exercise combinations in terms of pain, functionality, disability, and strength in patients with lateral epicondylitis (LE).Patients and methods This prospective, parallel-group, randomized-controlled clinical study included a total of 60 patients (42 males, 18 females; mean age 38.08 years; range, 21 to 50 years) with LE between April 2016 and October 2017. The patients were equally randomized into four groups based on the time of admission to the outpatient clinic. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS), painless weight lifting, the Patient- Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE), and Quick Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) were used to measure the outcomes. The measurements were performed at baseline, at the end of 10 daily sessions, and after a six-week follow-up period.Results The resting VAS scores in the ketoprofen phonophoresis group and lifted weights in the MPS and ketoprofen phonophoresis groups showed a significant improvement both after 10 days of treatment and at six-week follow-up visits (p<0.001). In the QuickDASH model, there was no significant improvement in the control group after 10 days of treatment (p>0.05); however, a significant improvement was observed after six weeks (p<0.001). Except for these variables, significant improvements were found in all groups for all variables at six-week follow-up (p<0.05). However, improvements were similar in all groups (p>0.05).ConclusionBased on our study results, for LE patients who are unable to adhere to exercise and splint use and are given a physical treatment plan, inclusion of ketoprofen and MPS phonophoresis in the treatment program may yield additional benefits in their daily living activities, functionality, and working life.

The European campaign to fight musculoskeletal disorders - the need for eHealth

Abstract The study is based on the National Science Program 'eHealth in Bulgaria (e-Health)', funded by the Ministry of Education and Science. Partnership Contract No. D-01-200/16.11.2018. Background The focus of the European Health and Safety Agency's 2020-2022 campaign is on the prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). In the employment of medical professionals, they are common. The introduction of eHealth in Bulgaria supports the processes of information, monitoring and prevention. Methods An adapted Neck Injury Index (NII) questionnaire was developed by: Vernon, H. &amp; Mior, S. (1991) to determine specific injuries in the cervical spine, administered to 251 healthcare professionals from a large medical establishment. Results A study of the relationship between gender and the answers given in the ten sections of the questionnaire revealed a statistically significant difference in the answers for 'headache', 'driving' and 'sleeping' with p = 0.005, p &amp;lt; 0.001 and p = 0.020 respectively. 74.6% of men and 63.7% of women gave negative answers for headache, no driving pain, with men leading by 92.3% and a lower proportion of women than 56.1%, and without any sleep disturbances. 94.9% of men and 68.9% of women surveyed. The relationship between the profession and the medical profession indicating symptoms of neck damage, statistical significance was confirmed except in the above sections and also in 'lifting weights' (p = 0.009) and 'reading' with p = 0.002. As 65.3% of physicians, 51.9% of healthcare professionals and 56.5% of paramedics have no complaints of additional neck pain when lifting weights. A significant correlation was also found between mild injury rate (10 to 28%) and work experience over 10 years in 53.5% of those working in the hospital (p = 0.031). Conclusions The multifactorial influence of gender, position, and special length of service in the surveyed health care professionals did not cause symptoms indicating specific changes in the neck. Key messages It is important to establish a database through the introduction of eHealth with an information system. Identification changes in health and the presence of MSD in working nurses.

Diurnal T2-changes of the intervertebral discs of the entire spine and the influence of weightlifting

The purpose was to study if (1) diurnal changes occur in the entire spine and if (2) intervertebral discs (IVDs) of weightlifters (WL) have decreased baseline T2-values in the morning as well as (3) increased diurnal changes throughout the day. This prospective cohort study investigated healthy volunteers between 2015 and 2017. WL were required to have participated in weightlifting ≥ 4×/week for ≥ 5 years, while non-weightlifters (NWL) were limited to < 2×/week for ≥ 5 years. Both groups underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the entire spine in the morning and evening. WL were requested to perform weightlifting in-between imaging. IVD regions of interest (nucleus pulposus) were defined and T2-maps were measured. Analysis consisted of unpaired t-test, paired t-test, propensity-score matching (adjusting for age and sex), and Pearson correlation. Twenty-five individuals (15 [60.0%] males) with a mean age of 29.6 (standard deviation [SD 6.9]) years were analyzed. Both groups (WL: n = 12 versus [vs.] NWL: n = 13) did not differ demographic characteristics. Mean IVD T2-values of all participants significantly decreased throughout the day (95.7 [SD 15.7] vs. 86.4 [SD 13.9] milliseconds [ms]) in IVDs of the cervical (71.8 [SD 13.4] vs. 64.4 [SD 14.1] ms), thoracic (98.8 [SD 19.9] vs. 88.6 [SD 16.3] ms), and lumbar (117.0 [SD 23.7] vs. 107.5 [SD 21.6] ms) spine (P < 0.001 each). There were no differences between both groups in the morning (P = 0.635) and throughout the day (P = 0.681), even after adjusting for confounders. It can be concluded that diurnal changes of the IVDs occurred in the entire (including cervical and thoracic) spine. WL and NWL showed similar morning baseline T2-values and diurnal changes. Weightlifting may not negatively affect IVDs chronically or acutely.