Normally, physically structured muscle-building routines do not cause nerve damage. Improper athletic technique or accidental injury is usually the cause of nerve damage. Athletes use a variety of muscle-building routines, depending on the type of sport. For example, weightlifters occasionally injure the ulnar nerve near the elbow, while bicyclists sometimes injure the pudendal nerve in the pelvic area. Proper training can reduce the incidence of nerve damage.
Nerve Damage Defined
Nerves serve at the wiring system for your body. Such a fragile wiring system can be damaged by cutting, stretching or pressure. Nerve damage prevents your muscles from working and also causes a loss of feeling. Sometimes, when a nerve is damaged, the damaged nerve fibers grow into a ball called a neuroma, which can become very painful. Complete nerve damage may not be recoverable, while nerves with temporary damage can be rehabilitated.
Ulnar Nerve
Athletic ulnar nerve injury can occur during muscle-building routines that require weightlifting. Improper lifting techniques or elbow overuse can affect the ulnar nerve. You will feel pain on the inner elbow and possible tingling or numbness. Nerve damage may affect your grip and refer pain to your shoulder. To prevent damage, lift appropriate amounts of weight and complete only 10 to 15 repetitions. Lift weights in a slow, controlled fashion, with no quick movements. Also, consistently lifting weights will keep your muscles strong and prevent nerve damage.
Pudendal Nerve
Bicyclists can affect the pudendal nerve in the perineum during riding and muscle-building training. The perineum is an area of tissue marked by the outlet of the pelvis and gives passage to the urinogenital ducts and rectum. The pudendal nerve passes through this area and you can increase the pressure on the pudendal nerve seven times by sitting on a bicycle seat. Pudendal nerve damage can be prevented by correct seat and body positioning. A rider should sit on the pelvic bones, not the perineum.
Axillary Nerve
The axillary nerve is a group of nerves supplying the muscles and skin of your shoulder. This nerve is susceptible to damage by overstretching during muscle-building routines of certain sports. Football players and skiers have the most axillary nerve injuries, although rugby players, wrestlers and weightlifters have some as well. Hockey players can damage their axillary nerves with repetitive motions and abnormal shoulder positions. Routines requiring such repetitive stress on the upper extremities can cause axillary nerve damage.
References
- British Journal of Sports Medicine: Sports Injuries of the Elbow
- The New York Times: Serious Riders, Your Bicycle Seat May Affect Your Love Life
- American Society for Surgery of the Hand: Nerve Injuries
- Sports Science Orthopaedic Clinic: Ulnar Nerve Entrapment Overview
- CNN.com: Weight training -- Do's and Don'ts of Proper Technique
- Neurosurgery Focus: Axillary Nerve Injury Associated With Sports
