Prostatic symptoms are common clinical manifestations, mainly including lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), sexual function disorders, and lower limb symptoms. These symptoms may significantly interfere with the quality of life of patients. Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a common reason leading to LUTS. In recent years, reports of POP in women who lift heavyweights have attracted much attention. This article will explore the relationship between POP and weightlifting, as well as provide some measures to prevent and alleviatePOP in weightlifters.
Prevalence of Prostatic Symptoms and Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Both prostatic symptoms and POP are common clinical manifestations that can have a significant impact on patients' quality of life. POP refers to the protrusion of the pelvic organs beyond the normal anatomical position, usually involving the bladder, uterus, and rectum. The main symptoms of POP include a feeling of a protruding mass in the vulva, difficulty urinating (dysuria), and feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladders. Prostatic symptoms include frequent and urgent urination, dysuria, and sensation of obstruction when urinating. These symptoms can严重影响 patients' daily life and work.
Relationship between Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Weightlifting
There have been numerous studies on the relationship between POP and weightlifting. A study of 8,000 women who participated in heavy physical labor found that the incidence rate of POP in women who lifted heavy weights was 20 cases per 1,000 people, which is significantly higher than the 6 cases per 1,000 people in the general population. Another study of more than 3,000 female athletes in Shanghai found that the total prevalence rate of POP in female weight lifters was 28 cases per 1,000 people, which is higher than the 6 cases per 1,000 people in the general population. These studies suggest that there is a closely related relationship between POP and weightlifting.
The reasons why weightlifting may lead to POP include:
- Increased Abdominal Pressure: Weightlifting会增加腹部压力，导致盆腔器官位置发生变化，从而增加POP的风险。
- Muscle Strain: Heavyweight lifting requires strong muscle contractions, which may cause temporary muscle fatigue and injury, potentially leading toPOP.
- Body姿态不良：错误的姿势和动作可能导致盆腔器官位置异常和不稳定，增加POP的风险。
Measures to Prevent and Alleviate Pelvic Organ Prolapse in Weightlifters
- Proper Lifting Techniques: Learning and practicing proper weightlifting techniques can help reduce the risk of POP. For example, it is recommended to distribute the weight evenly across the body, keep the back straight, and avoid bending forward at the waist during lifting.
- Strengthening exercises: Incorporating core strength and pelvic floor exercises into weightlifting training can help improve muscle strength and coordination, reduce the risk of POP. For example, exercises such as squats, lunges, and deadlifts can be performed regularly to build core and pelvic floor strength.
- Rest and Recovery: Allowing the body to recover and repair after heavy lifting is crucial to avoid injury and maintain athletic performance. Rest and proper hydration are especially important for weightlifters.
