Citation

Finnie SB, Wheeldon TJ, Hensrud DD, Dahm DL, Smith JL. J. Strength Cond. Res. 2003; 17(3): 498-502.

Affiliation

Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Finnie.Steven@mayo.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, National Strength and Conditioning Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

12930176

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify patterns

of weight belt use in a population of recreational weight trainers. We

hypothesized that the majority of weight belt users utilized weight belts to

reduce injury risk and/or improve performance while lifting submaximal loads.

Three hundred fifty-two strength training health center members (189 men, 156

women, 7 gender not indicated) aged 20-72 years (36.5 +/- 10.5 years) completed

a voluntary weight belt use survey. Overall, 27% (94/352) were weight belt users

and 73% (258/352) were nonusers. Ninety percent (85/94) of belt users and 63%

(55/88) of former belt users utilized belts to prevent injury, whereas 22%

(21/94) of belt users and 28% (25/88) of former belt users utilized belts to

improve performance. Many belt users were found to utilize belts during

inappropriate situations such as lifting light loads or during exercises that do

not typically stress the trunk musculature. Based on these findings we suggest

that specific educational interventions be developed at health and fitness

facilities to help provide a foundation for more informed decision-making

regarding weight belt use.