@article{ref1,
title="Weight lifting belt use patterns among a population of health club members",
journal="Journal of strength and conditioning research",
year="2003",
author="Finnie, Steven B. and Wheeldon, Theresa J. and Hensrud, Donald D. and Dahm, Diane L. and Smith, Jessi L.",
volume="17",
number="3",
pages="498-502",
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.",
language="",
issn="1064-8011",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}