Musculoskeletal Injuries Among Weight Lifters With or Without Supervision ?

A Comparative Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: People nowadays have developed a new passion of weightlifting. Weightlifting focuses on vigorous muscle development. But injuries are also common in weightlifting. This study aims to compare the injury rates among supervised and non-supervised weightlifters.

Methods: A group of 138 weight lifters was divided into two groups i.e. who did training under supervision and the other who did training without any supervision. Injuries related to musculoskeletal system were identified using Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS. Chi square test was used to see the association of musculoskeletal pain among weightlifters with or without supervision.

Results: Significant association found between musculoskeletal injuries and supervision. Injuries lesser in number among supervised weightlifters as compared to unsupervised weightlifters. Mean age of weight lifters under supervision and without supervision was 21.99 (SD 3.81) and 24.64 (SD 5.01) respectively. Mean workout days /week among weight lifters under supervision was almost same i.e. 5.67 (SD .63) and was 5.62 (SD .81). Out of 51 participants who work-out for 46-60 min, 30 were not under supervision while 31 weightlifters who work-out for 61-90 min were working out under supervision. Injury rate was more in the region of shoulder in both groups supervised and unsupervised groups while hip/thigh region was less involved in both supervised and unsupervised groups.

Conclusion: Overall results showed significant association between musculoskeletal injuries and supervision. Injury rate was more among weightlifters who work without supervision as compared to those who work under supervision. Care should be taken and weight lifting and exercises must be performed under expert’s supervision.