The following item from ACE's Fitness Matters recently was sent to me by a
colleague who has been following the contentious discussion about belt usage:
"Researchers at the Albany Medical Center in Albany, NY, compared the progress
of 50 weightlifters, half of whom wore weightlifting belts. All the men
followed the same program, and their results were essentially the same. But
there was an important difference: The men who did not use the weightlifting
belt had better abdominal and back strength."
I have many comments to make on this study, but first I would like others to
regard this study as a tutorial for group discussion, in the same vein as my
Puzzles & Paradoxes (P&Ps).
Thus:
Comment on the validity, implications and accuracy of this study. Initially,
this research would seem to vindicate those who maintain that belt use always
weakens the trunk musculature. However, one always has to ask questions about
the method of study, the sample, the duration, the testing methods used, the
training procedure, the control of all variables, the reproducibility of
results, the type of belts used, the method (loose or tight), the type of
strength assessed, the manner of breath control, the involvement of
psychological factors and so forth.
Does this study 'prove' the contention that belt usage weakens the trunk
musculature in lifting activities or does it raise as many questions as those
which appear to have been answered? Identify any problems which may be
inherent in this study.
Dr Mel C Siff
Littleton, Colorado, USA
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