Weight Training-Related Injuries Increasing.

A recent study conducted by the Center for Injury Research and Policy of The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital has found that the number of injuries from weight training has unsurprsingly increased as the activity has become more popular. Almost a million weight training-related injuries were treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments between 1990 and 2007, increasing nearly 50 percent during the 18-year study period.

About two thirds of the recorded injuries were from weights dropping onto a person.

Males (82 percent) and youths aged 13 to 24 years (47 percent) sustained the largest proportion of weight training-related injuries. Injuries to the upper (25 percent) and lower trunk (20 percent) were the most common followed by injuries to the hand (19 percent). The most frequent injury diagnoses were sprains and strains (46 percent) followed by soft tissue injuries (18 percent).

While youths (ages 13-24) had the highest number of injuries, the largest increase in the incidence of injuries occurred among those aged 45 years and older. People aged 55 and older were more likely than their younger counterparts to be injured while using weight-training machines, and to sustain injuries from overexertion and lifting or pulling. On the other hand, youths 12 years and younger were more likely to be injured while using free weights. This age group had a higher proportion of cuts and fractures, and were more likely to sustain injuries as a result of having a weight drop or fall on them than those aged 13 years and older.

"Before beginning a weight training program, it is important that people of all ages consult with a health professional, such as a doctor or athletic trainer, to create a safe training program based on their age and capabilities," said study author Dawn Comstock, PhD, principal investigator in the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital. "Getting proper instruction on how to use weight lifting equipment and the proper technique for lifts, as well as providing trained supervision for youths engaging in weight training, will also reduce the risk of injury."

The study also found that while males had the highest number of injuries, there was a larger increase in the incidence of injury among female participants.

"Weight training may still be a male dominated activity," said Dr. Comstock, also a faculty member of The Ohio State University College of Medicine. "However, the increase in incidence among female participants is likely the result of more women weight training as it becomes a more accepted fitness activity for women."

While this study focused on injuries, largely to assess and prevent them, there are decided benefits to weight-lifting. It is an effective means to decrease the incidence of osteoporosis, it has been suggested to help with increasing basal metabolism (your body's ability to burn fat),
it reduces the likelihood and severity of falls in the elderly , improves walking in the elderly, and increases strength and cardivascular health. Exercise plays a key role in our mental health too, as a good way of alleviating stress.

As a chiropractor who's seen a lot of sports injuries, my goal is to assess the nature of the injury, treat it as quickly and effectively as possible, and return the patient to his or her desired activity as soon as safe and reasonable to do so.

I've had the opportunity to treat people with a wide variety of injuries from the gamut of physical activities, from free weights to kettlebells, from fencing to mixed martial arts, from ballet to tapdancing, from yoga and tai chi to competitive boomerang. Removing people's pain and getting them back to the activities they love is absolutely the most gratifying part of my job.