Dangers Of Back Bridge Exercises

Dangers of Back Bridge Exercises

Jul 12, 2010 | By Abigail Ekue

Many workouts encourage back bride exercises or extension exercises to strengthen the muscles of the back and ensure balance against the power and strength of the abdominals. The spine or back can bend in many directions. A healthy spine can flex or bend forward, bend backward or extend, bend side to side, which is referred to as lateral flexion and twist causing rotation of the trunk. Some people are more flexible that others and will have a wider range of motion either congenitally or through flexibility training. However, back bridge exercises can push the body beyond its limits and repeated stress can cause injury to the lower back.

Hyperlordosis

Repeatedly performing back bridge exercises can result in bad posture. Constantly extending the back can exacerbate the natural curve of the lower back leading to Hyperlordosis or swayback posture, especially if the muscles of the back aren’t stretched to keep flexibility and if abdominal muscles are weak.

Spondylolysis

Spondylolysis is the degeneration of the vertebrae in the lumbar spine. This condition can occur as a stress fracture in the vertebrae. Sudden hyperextension of the lower back can produce pain. Participating in sports and activities such as lifting weight, blocking in American football, the butterfly stroke in swimming or back arches in gymnastics can put someone at risk for developing spondylolysis.

Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis is a progression of spondylolysis. After further degeneration and constant back bridge exercises, one vertebra can slip forward on another vertebra causing a step deformity. There may not be any pain or symptoms with spondylolisthesis but someone with the condition may have an excessive curve in the lower back known as hyperlordosis. In adolescent athletes, it is the most common cause of low back pain.