Analysis on the effect of lumbar musculoskeletal injuries and core strength training in male weightlifters

To study the effect of core strength training on male weightlifters with lumbar musculoskeletal injuries. Thirty male weightlifters were recruited for this study, and we examined the characteristics of sports injuries and analyzed their causes. Subsequently, the athletes underwent systematic core strength training, and we evaluated their physical motor function using the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) test and the Y-Balance Test (YBT) and assessed injury rehabilitation based on the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) low back pain score post core strength training. The results revealed that 23 out of 30 male weightlifters, constituting 76.67% of the sample, exhibited various degrees of lumbar injury. Chronic lumbar musculoskeletal injuries were predominant, accounting for 56.52%, with the lumbar region being the primary site, comprising 47.83% of injuries. The most common causes of injury were physical fatigue (65.22%) and inadequate preparation activities (56.52%). Analysis of baseline data indicated no significant differences in the incidence of lumbar musculoskeletal injuries among male weightlifters of different ages, sports grades, years of professional training, or best performance (p > 0.05). After core strength training, male weightlifters with lumbar musculoskeletal injuries demonstrated significant improvements in the deep squat, trunk stability push-up, hurdle steps, rotary stability and total scores of the FMS test (p < 0.05). Similarly, their Anterior, Medial and Lateral scores in the Y-Balance Test increased significantly post-training (p < 0.05). The Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) improvement index was (3.31 ± 0.76), corresponding to a 59.64% improvement rate. The incidence of lumbar musculoskeletal injuries remains elevated in male weightlifters, with lumbar vertebrae and muscles being the most commonly affected areas, notably characterized by chronic lumbar injuries. Core strength training could be considered an effective strategy for improving the functional motor abilities of male weightlifters suffering from lumbar musculoskeletal injuries as it can reduce the severity of low back pain.

Male; Weightlifters; Lumbar musculoskeletal injuries; Core strength training; Effect analysis

[1] Yokoe T, Tajima T, Yamaguchi N, Nagasawa M, Ota T, Morita Y, et al. Orthopaedic medical examination for young amateur athletes: a repeated cross-sectional study from 2014 to 2018. BMJ Open. 2021; 11: e042188.

[2] McCormick JR, Menendez ME, Hodakowski AJ, Garrigues GE. Superior capsule reconstruction and lower trapezius transfer for irreparable posterior-superior rotator cuff tear: a case report. JBJS Case Connector. 2022; 12: e22.00098.

[3] Soares D, Abbady K, Kasap S, Shabanliyski D. Simulation analysis of low back forces in Snatch and Clean & Jerk movements via digital human modelling. Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation. 2024; 37: 697–706.

[4] Ide BN, Silvatti AP, Marocolo M, Santos CPC, Silva BVC, Oranchuk DJ, et al. Is there any non-functional training? A conceptual review. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living. 2021; 3: 803366.

[5] Szafraniec R, Bartkowski J, Kawczyński A. Effects of short-term core stability training on dynamic balance and trunk muscle endurance in novice Olympic weightlifters. Journal of Human Kinetics. 2020; 74: 43–50.

[6] Wang X, Song W, Ruan Y, Li B, Lü C, Huang N, et al. Core muscle functional strength training for reducing the risk of low back pain in military recruits: an open-label randomized controlled trial. Journal of Integrative Medicine. 2022; 20: 145–152.

[7] Murofushi K, Yamaguchi D, Katagiri H, Hirohata K, Furuya H, Mitomo S, et al. Validity of the KOJI AWARENESS self-screening test for body movement and comparison with functional movement screening. PLOS ONE. 2022; 17: e0277167.

[8] Plisky P, Schwartkopf-Phifer K, Huebner B, Garner MB, Bullock G. Systematic review and meta-analysis of the Y-Balance Test lower quarter: reliability, discriminant validity, and predictive validity. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy. 2021; 16: 1190–1209.

[9] Fujimori T, Ikegami D, Sugiura T, Sakaura H. Responsiveness of the Zurich Claudication Questionnaire, the Oswestry Disability Index, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire, the 8-Item Short Form Health Survey, and the Euroqol 5 dimensions 5 level in the assessment of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. European Spine Journal. 2022; 31: 1399–1412.

[10] Winwood PW, Keogh JWL, Travis SK, Pritchard HJ. The tapering practices of competitive weightlifters. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 2023; 37: 829–839.

[11] Elkin JL, Kammerman JS, Kunselman AR, Gallo RA. Likelihood of injury and medical care between CrossFit and traditional weightlifting participants. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine. 2019; 7: 2325967119843348.

[12] Zemková E, Kováčiková Z, Zapletalová L. Is there a relationship between workload and occurrence of back pain and back injuries in athletes? Frontiers in Physiology. 2020; 11: 894.

[13] Pangan AM, Leineweber M. Footwear and elevated heel influence on barbell back squat: a review. Journal of Biomechanical Engineering. 2021; 143: 090801.

[14] Zouita ABM, Zouita S, Dziri C, Brughelli M, Behm DG, Chaouachi A. Differences in trunk strength between weightlifters and wrestlers. Journal of Human Kinetics. 2019; 67: 5–15.

[15] Wang Y, Li H, Zhang D, Zhao T, Liu Z, Chen J, et al. Core training for pain management and functional improvement in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. To be published in American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. 2024. [Preprint].

[16] Szafraniec R, Bartkowski J, Kawczyński A. Effects of short-term core stability training on dynamic balance and trunk muscle endurance in novice Olympic weightlifters. Journal of Human Kinetics. 2020; 74: 43–50.