Weightlifting has many benefits for the human body that include increasing strength, muscular endurance, cardiovascular endurance, bone density and flexibility for example. However, if you are performing exercises improperly, are overloading your muscles too much, neglecting certain muscles or creating muscle imbalances you can potentially injure your muscles through weightlifting. Consult a doctor if you experience any of these problems.
Torn Rotator Cuff
One of the most common places to injure in sport and physical activity is also one of the most common to hurt while weightlifting. According to the Mayo Clinic, the rotator cuff is composed of six muscles that hold your shoulder blade and humerus -- upper arm -- together. There are multiple reasons why you can damage your rotator cuff, but a common reason for damage when lifting weights is because you may be lifting a weight that is too heavy for shoulder to support. Performing an exercise with poor form, that uses the rotator cuff muscles improperly, will also make you susceptible to injuring the muscles. Lifting weights over your head and performing pulling motions are the most common types of exercises to hurt your rotator cuff through weightlifting.
Inguinal Hernia
An inguinal hernia is a common muscular injury that can occur from weight lifting. According to the Mayo Clinic, this type of injury can result when a severe strain is placed on your lower abdomen that can not be supported. The wall of the muscle will break, and a portion of intestine will push through. This will cause a bulge. You may notice you have an inguinal hernia if you see a bulge in your lower abdomen, have pain when coughing or sneezing, pain bending over and cannot pick up heavy objects without severe discomfort in the abdomen. Alone, an inguinal hernia is not life-threatening, but can result in greater medical problems if left untreated.
Sports Hernia
A sports hernia is medically known as athletic pubalgia. According to Dr. Meyers of Drexel University and Thomas Jefferson Hospital, a sports hernia occurs when a load of resistance can not be supported around the pubic joint due to weakened or imbalanced muscles. In weightlifting, this will most likely involve twisting and shearing motions around the groin, hips and pubic area, as well hyper-abduction of the thigh and hyper-extension of the abdomen. This will result in a detachment of the muscle from its joint. The muscles involved are typically the thigh adductors, lower abdomen and hip flexors.
Muscle Contusion and Strains
Common agitations and pains caused by weightlifting can be a result of muscle contusions and strains. According to the National Strength and Conditioning Association, a muscle contusion contains an excess accumulation of blood and fluid in the tissues surround the injured muscle. In more simpler terms, you bruised your muscle while weight lifting. This can severely limit the range of motion for the muscle that is injured.
Muscle strains are caused through weakened muscles as your perform the exercise. When you lift weights you are always tearing your muscles, but in a healthy normal fashion. In a strain, you are tearing your muscles significantly in a detrimental fashion. Strains come in three grades. A first degree strain is a partial tear of the muscle fibers that only elicits pain during strong muscle activity. A second degree strain is a partial tear that elicits pain during even during weak muscle activity. A third degree muscle strain is a complete tear of the muscle fibers. Pain will be constant, and little muscle activity can be performed.
References
- "ACSM's Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, 8th edition."; American College of Sports Medicine; 2009
- "Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning;" Baechle, Thomas R., Earle, Roger W.; 2008
- Mayo Clinic: Inguinal Hernia
- "Understanding Sports Hernia (Athletic Pubalgia)- The Anatomic and Pathophysiologic Basis for Abdominal and Groin Pain in Athletes," Meyers, W.C, et al; 2008
