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Negative long term effects of weigth lifting?

  • 03-02-2011 9:26am
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 345 ✭✭


    Im fairly young and have been weigth lifting for a few months, but Im wondering 20 yrs down the line would there be problems?
    Are there any studies done on long term lifting, like are people who lift weights for a good portion of their life more prone to artritis or joint problems? Even if they do all the lifts with good form?


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,366 ✭✭✭cmyk


    Are there any studies done on long term lifting, like are people who lift weights for a good portion of their life more prone to artritis or joint problems?

    Yes, studies that show many benefits of resistance training, including resistance training that start later in life. Depending of course on responsible programming etc.
    Even if they do all the lifts with good form?

    You'll see negative effects of weight training at 20yo if you don't lift with good form.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,921 ✭✭✭Remmy


    Is increased awesomeness a negative effect?


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 21,981 ✭✭✭✭Hanley


    Increased bone density anyone?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,366 ✭✭✭cmyk


    I remember reading a report couple of years back regarding the elderly. Lack of hip strength/mobility was a major factor in leading to early entrance to nursing homes. In particular squat patterns, as the inability to sit/stand and use the toilet inevitably leads to needing care.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,117 ✭✭✭SanoVitae


    There are plenty of negative long term effects of NOT weight lifting.

    In terms of arthritis, there are plenty of studies which have proven how basic weight training programs can dramatically reduce the symptoms of arthritis and allow individuals to increase their activity levels.

    Here's one example:

    http://sportsmedicine.about.com/cs/knee_injuries/a/aa100103a.htm

    Are there any studies done on long term lifting, like are people who lift weights for a good portion of their life more prone to artritis or joint problems?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,479 ✭✭✭t-ha


    Two weeks ago I totally wrecked my back so bad I couldn't move without pain-killers. I was drinking a cup of coffee. So playing it safe doesn't seem to work anyway...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 345 ✭✭Pappy o' daniel


    It just doesn't seem natural to squat like 200kg or something, is the human body able to handle that stress over time without consequences?

    I suppose weight lifting is quite popular since the 80s in the US anyway so there would be be information out there if it was detrimental long term.
    Maybe Im just underestimating what humans can do.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 21,981 ✭✭✭✭Hanley


    It just doesn't seem natural to squat like 200kg or something, is the human body able to handle that stress over time without consequences?

    I suppose weight lifting is quite popular since the 80s in the US anyway so there would be be information out there if it was detrimental long term.
    Maybe Im just underestimating what humans can do.

    Without trying to take a pot shot at you, this is one of the problems with the forum. Someone comes on with an idea, one that’s formulated thru mis-information, scare tactics etc etc, and one which is considered conventional wisdom. They ask a question about it, and then when legitimate evidence is produced to show the opposite is true, they disregard it because it’s not in line with their expectations.

    Your body will adapt to the stress you put on it... There’s a few of us that could squat 200kg all day and not have to think about it. There’s also guys here that it would break in half.

    Look at injury incidences per 100 hours in popular sports. Weight training is near the bottom of the list. The cumulative trauma associated with it may be what wrecks eventually if you’re doing it wrong, but you stand a much greater chance of serious acute injury during team/field sports.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,348 ✭✭✭the drifter


    Ill put it this way....i picked up more injuries training for the half marathon than i have weight training


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,394 ✭✭✭Transform


    10-20+ years sitting at a desk and not moving about enough = a world or negative effects!!!!

    With obesity stats as they are i think encouraging more people to move and use weights is vital


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,252 ✭✭✭FTA69


    When I got bigger from lifting weights there were loads of negative consequences; top of the list included killing several girlfriends during sex due to my massive hulking frame, bending the frying pan in half while making 9-egg omelettes and feeling the need to consume two live chickens every 3 hours.

    Minor side-effects included stirring creatine into my tea instead of sugar and roaring "BEEEEEFCAKE!!!" at pedestrians as I drove by with my massive arm hanging out the window.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 537 ✭✭✭gavney1


    Up until about 3 years ago, I had problems sleeping because of constant back aches. I also had bad posture (a street-mime even mocked my posture in Italy).

    Then I started swimming. It helped a bit, but not completely. Then a friend who was into weightlifting suggested doing light deadlifts and some stretches. I started doing this (but no other weightlifting). I never have any back aches anymore and my posture is much improved.

    I started getting into weightlifting in the last couple of years. And have been doing Starting Strength for the last few months - which has further helped my overall flexibility and strength in my back.

    Years of avoiding weightlifting b/c I thought it might wreck my back was actually doing my back harm.

    Of course, you need to learn how to do it right. Doing it badly can do you plenty of harm.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 537 ✭✭✭gavney1


    Hanley wrote: »
    Without trying to take a pot shot at you, this is one of the problems with the forum. Someone comes on with an idea, one that’s formulated thru mis-information, scare tactics etc etc, and one which is considered conventional wisdom. They ask a question about it, and then when legitimate evidence is produced to show the opposite is true, they disregard it because it’s not in line with their expectations.

    I disagree. I don't think the OP's response represents a problem with the forum. The OP's second post was more inquisitive than dismissive.

    Sounds more like s/he is surprised by the advice (as it's contrary to conventional wisdom) but is willing to learn and has more questions.

    I think it would be a bigger problem if the forum was just a case of 1. Person asks a question 2. is told the answer and 3. then has to say "ok, thankyou" and not have any more questions/skepticism.

    If you're someone who was never into weight training until recently (like myself and the OP) it's hard to separate truth from fiction.
    It just doesn't seem natural to squat like 200kg or something, is the human body able to handle that stress over time without consequences?

    and
    Maybe Im just underestimating what humans can do.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,757 ✭✭✭beggars_bush


    Weight Lifting can seriously improve your spelling.

    And your posture
    and resistance to injury
    raises your metabolism


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 738 ✭✭✭gymsoldier


    Hanley wrote: »
    Increased bone density anyone?

    Yes its "Wolfs Law"


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,027 ✭✭✭Lantus


    Any sport carries some risks through injury but in general whatever you do the +ve's always outweight the -ve's.

    For weightlifting or resistance training working the muscles strengthens the body's entire support structure, it also strengthens bones and joints and ligaments as a by product.

    As we get older muscle and bone density decrease so combating this with resistance training is a really really +ve thing.

    I used to suffer from bad backs from a combination of no exercise, increased weight and a sedentary lifestyle. After a few years of weightlifting I now say that bad backs are things that OTHER people get.

    I will always lift weights because my health is just as important as my pension. I'm going to need both when I get old. Investing in just one is bad planning. I dont want to be lifted onto the toilet in my 70's if my lifespan is going be 20 or even 30+ years beyond that.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 345 ✭✭Pappy o' daniel


    Hanley wrote: »
    Without trying to take a pot shot at you, this is one of the problems with the forum. Someone comes on with an idea, one that’s formulated thru mis-information, scare tactics etc etc, and one which is considered conventional wisdom. They ask a question about it, and then when legitimate evidence is produced to show the opposite is true, they disregard it because it’s not in line with their expectations.

    Your body will adapt to the stress you put on it... There’s a few of us that could squat 200kg all day and not have to think about it. There’s also guys here that it would break in half.

    Look at injury incidences per 100 hours in popular sports. Weight training is near the bottom of the list. The cumulative trauma associated with it may be what wrecks eventually if you’re doing it wrong, but you stand a much greater chance of serious acute injury during team/field sports.


    My opinion didn't come from anyone or anything but myself, its something that I have been thinking about.

    Your presuming a bit too much to know what my expectations are. As some other poster said Im being inquisitive.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 39,902 ✭✭✭✭Mellor


    gavney1 wrote: »
    I disagree. I don't think the OP's response represents a problem with the forum. The OP's second post was more inquisitive than dismissive.
    I think Hanley was talking in general terms on the forum. And not saying the Op is the biggest problem.
    The fact is, it does happen, in much worse proportions in other threads.

    The fact is the OP was told that the stress of weight lifting makes the body stronger, and he apparently didn't beieve it. It's fine to question things, I questions lots. But sometimes, if people, un aren't obviously biased, tell you 1+1=2, then maybe just believe them
    My opinion didn't come from anyone or anything but myself, its something that I have been thinking about.

    Your presuming a bit too much to know what my expectations are. As some other poster said Im being inquisitive.
    If it was your own opinion, do you mind if I ask what gave you these opinions.

    The reason I ask, is that. To me, the benefits of a weight training, either directly or indirectly, are improved strength, muscle mass, flexibility, fitness, stonger bones. Every one of those things is a big health positive. but when you think of later in life, they are even BIGGER positives.

    Old age results in weakness, low muscle mass, poor flexibility, low fitness and weak bones. Pretty much direct physical opposites. To me, logically, resistance training can only help those issues. The same way active "brain training" promotes positive mental health in later life.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,479 ✭✭✭t-ha


    I would imagine the disadvantage he sees is the idea of having an acute injury while actually doing the training - as opposed to some problem with having more muscle or whatever. This is probably fair enough, most people I know who train anything get injured occassionally and sometimes those injuries don't ever heal fully and accumulate - but I also know plenty of people who hurt themselves when they were older because when the time came to do something strenuous (lift a kid, dig a hole, whatever) their body was too out of condition and they hurt themselves.

    I would say lift, but unless you're making a world champion run at something, then listen to your body - don't throw on too much weight and do ****ty lifts just to feed your ego, and don't get to the point where you're squatting 200kg without going to a proper weightlifting club or getting someone in the know to have a look at your lifts.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 345 ✭✭Pappy o' daniel


    Mellor wrote: »
    I think Hanley was talking in general terms on the forum. And not saying the Op is the biggest problem.
    The fact is, it does happen, in much worse proportions in other threads.

    The fact is the OP was told that the stress of weight lifting makes the body stronger, and he apparently didn't beieve it. It's fine to question things, I questions lots. But sometimes, if people, un aren't obviously biased, tell you 1+1=2, then maybe just believe them


    If it was your own opinion, do you mind if I ask what gave you these opinions.

    The reason I ask, is that. To me, the benefits of a weight training, either directly or indirectly, are improved strength, muscle mass, flexibility, fitness, stonger bones. Every one of those things is a big health positive. but when you think of later in life, they are even BIGGER positives.

    Old age results in weakness, low muscle mass, poor flexibility, low fitness and weak bones. Pretty much direct physical opposites. To me, logically, resistance training can only help those issues. The same way active "brain training" promotes positive mental health in later life.


    Well the idea that lifting a heavy weight over time is bound to cause wear and tear on joints.

    People are very defensive on here, I took up lifting recently and I enjoy it, so much so that Im thinking of continuing it well into the future, the reason I asked about negative effects is for my own benefit so I would know if there are any consequences.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,252 ✭✭✭FTA69


    Well the idea that lifting a heavy weight over time is bound to cause wear and tear on joints.

    And as has been already said, weight-lifting won't damage your joints if done correctly. On the other hand, it will fundamentally and dramatically strengthen your skeleto-muscular system and will help prevent health issues in later life. There are few people in their later years who are inherently damaged due to years of physical exercise, conversely we see many in middle age who are completely f*cked due to a sedentary lifestyle; to the point they throw their back out carrying in the shopping or get out of breath climbing a flight of stairs.

    Physical fitness is one of the most important things you can give yourself in life, and it will be vital in later life to enable you to live life to the full as opposed to be in danger of a heart attack in your 40s. A key component of that fitness is muscular strength, and safe weight-lifting is key to achieving that.

    Not lifting weights will probably have more negative consequences in life than engaging in safe and proper lifting.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,472 ✭✭✭Kev M




  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,720 ✭✭✭Sid_Justice


    ventricular hypertrophy


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