Factors that can predispose an athlete to injury include older age, previous muscle injury, less flexibility, lack of strength in the muscle, and fatigue. Many athletes sustain muscle injuries when they just begin a training regimen. That is why they are much more common in training camps in the NFL than they are throughout the regular playing season.

The severity of a strain can be assessed by how much strength and range of motion a person loses, and this can also provide an idea as to how long it will take to recover. Muscle strains can be categorized into three grades, based on severity:. The key symptoms of a muscle strain are: sudden pain that worsens while contracting the muscle, swelling and bruising, loss of strength and range of motion.

People often report the sensation of pain as the feeling of being "stabbed. After this inflammatory phase, the muscle begins to heal by regenerating muscle fibers from stem cells that live around the area of injury.

However, a significant amount of scar tissue also forms where the muscle was injured. Over time, this scar tissue remodels, but the muscle tissue never fully regenerates.

It is thought that this makes a strained muscle prone to future injury. The diagnosis is usually made based on patient history and physical exam. In severe, grade 3 cases, the examining physician may actually be able to feel the defect where the muscle has completely torn.

An X-ray may be helpful to rule out a fracture or dislocation as the cause of pain. Occasionally in young athletes, the tendon can pull off a piece of bone where it attaches, which can be seen on X-rays. However, pure muscle injuries cannot be seen on regular X-rays.

An MRI can sometimes be helpful to determine where the injury has occurred and whether there is complete rupture or not. MRIs can also show collections of blood, called a hematoma, that sometimes occur following severe injuries.

If there is a partial tear then the athlete can return when they are pain free and have normal strength and motion. This usually occurs following anywhere from a few weeks to a few months of appropriate treatment and therapy. When the muscle is completely ruptured, the athlete may benefit from surgical repair.

The majority of acute muscle injuries are partial thickness tears. These can most often be treated successfully with:. These treatments will be done for the first week, followed by progressive functional physical therapy, as needed. Many athletes are able to return to their previous level of competition, but since scar tissue forms at the site of injury, they may be susceptible to another injury at that location.

Complete muscle injuries can lead to significant functional impairment and lost playing time and may require surgical repair. This is especially the case for patients who need to be able to run or be sufficiently agile to participate in sport.

Platelet-rich plasma PRP injections may be able to help accelerate the regeneration of damaged muscle tissue. Return to full activity is usually allowed when the patient is pain free, has full range of motion, and full strength. If an athlete attempts to return to their sport before these criteria are met, there is a high chance of reinjuring the muscle and sustaining a setback.

Mild, grade 1 injuries may require only two to three weeks before an athlete can return. More severe injuries may require significantly more time.

Such a long period of lost playing time is less than ideal for professional and elite athletes, and some have advocated more aggressive treatment in this group. In a study that examined professional football players with severe hamstring tears with palpable defects, an intramuscular cortisone injection led to a return to full activity time of 7.

Levine WN, Bergfeld JA, Tessendorf W, Moorman CT 3rd. Intramuscular corticosteroid injection for hamstring injuries. A year experience in the National Football League. Am J Sports Med. Bedair HS, Karthikeyan T, Quintero A, Li Y, Huard J.

Antiotensin II receptor blockade administered after injury improves muscle regeneration and decreases fibrosis in normal skeletal muscle. Muscle Strain: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment. By ; Lawrence V. Gulotta, MD. What is a muscle strain? What causes muscle strains? Strengthen the glutes as well, as they significantly help to support the hamstrings when you perform sprints and jumps.

Patellar tendonitis is a common injury characterized by pain at the patellar tendon, which is just below the kneecap. When the inflammation has decreased, focus on gradually building up the strength of your legs without flaring it up again. Visit a therapist who can show you how to progressively rebuild the load on the quads and the patellar tendon with eccentric exercises.

Most trainers focus on keeping the knees behind the toes during a squat. Ideally, the middle of your knee should track over your 2nd toe. Practicing proper form will minimize other stresses to the knee that occur when your knee caves inwards. Prevention Tips: Keep the middle of the knee inline with the 2nd toe during every leg exercise.

This will help decrease any lateral stresses to the knee, which can exacerbate knee problems. Targeting your glutes during your workout is another great way to help decrease stress to the knee. Strengthening and engaging your hip muscles can help ensure proper knee alignment, thereby helping take the load off your knees.

By incorporating some key exercises into your workout and focusing on proper form, you can build a more injury-resistant body. Starting each workout with a thorough warm-up, correcting your muscular imbalances, and including flexibility training goes a long way. Train smart and stay injury free.

Thanks for the article, Kenny. I remember as a college athlete the 1 reason why we lifted weights was to prevent injury while playing sports, then secondly to improve performance. Great article! I have a few questions that i would like to ask. And if yes, then how tight those should be; approximately.

I say that because if they are really tight they change the dynamics of the joint they act like coils. I wake up with a sore low back after doing a barbell bent-over row the day before.

After a few hours though, on the same day, it was gone. loosier left hip. That said, my form in exercises like the front squat i prefer the front squat over the back squat is pretty darn good. The question is, is there a problem with that? Sorry for the long post and as long time reader of BuiltLean i would like to welcome you to the team!

All great question, David. That being, said, they do provide some benefit, especially with proprioception your bodies ability to feel itself and its position.

Low back soreness: consider this to be a yellow flag. Imbalances between sides: this is normal. Train the weaker side more for long term balance! Smashing article, very helpful. I have had problems with both knees and elbows. My knee pain I discovered stemmed from tight quads, due to overworking them.

Rest and a foam roller helped. The pain in the elbows for me was purely from asking too much of the forearm muscles, causing them to tighten also. For someone prone to them, would you advocate going lower weight, higher reps on those exercises that cause them? Marc is correct in that a knowledgeable PT or trainer may help you maintain that form, especially earlier on in the learning process.

Avoid any trainer that allows your to round your when squatting! Start with higher reps and lower loads for safety before moving to higher weights if desired. Hi John. Thankyou for sharing such article. Now i have a pain in my right leg due to weight lifting through thaigh.

It is unbearable i cant bend walk or stand. Please suggest me how an i get rid of this pain. A physical therapist will be able to diagnose and treat the cause of your pain, and recommend exercises to help rehabilitate the injury.

Good luck, and I hope you recovery quickly! Nice article. I have knee pain that came unexpectedly during a week of rest from strength training. I often used the glute extension machine and did lunges holding 30lb before taking a break.

Over 2 years ago, I injured same knee rising on a squat with considerably more weight. Hi Daniel. Good question. This depends on your form and leg alignment when exercising.

However, if you are able to do lunges and squats without pain during, immediately after, or the next two days, then generally they are safe for you. I hope that helps. Thanks Kenneth. I realize now, the pain is more when I walk a longer spread, and the pain comes about as my toes leave the ground at the end of my step.

I will say, after I work out the lower body, the pain subsided. Is knee pain at the cap worse than below the cap? Which exercise machines would you recommend for strengthening the knee muscles, tissues, and ligaments?

I was using that a lot. Kenneth Leung, DPT Contributor.

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Weight Training: Risk of Injury. Page Content. The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.

Follow Us. Back to Top. Activity Checker. Oral Health. Emotional Wellness. Shoulder impingement often leads to pain and restricted range of motion. In severe cases, it may progress to bursitis or rotator cuff tears. Causes: Results from the compression of the rotator cuff tendons and the subacromial bursa in the shoulder.

Prevention: Ensure proper shoulder mobility, strengthen the rotator cuff muscles, and prioritize exercises that promote good posture. A more severe shoulder injury that weightlifters may encounter is a rotator cuff injury, characterized by significant pain, weakness, and difficulty with overhead movements.

Causes: Tendons are damaged, often due to repetitive overhead lifting. Chronic tears may result from ongoing stress, while acute tears can occur suddenly, especially with heavy lifting.

Prevention: Incorporate shoulder-strengthening exercises, avoid excessive overhead lifting, and pay attention to any signs of shoulder discomfort. Bicep strain is common among weightlifters. Often manifests as a sharp pain in the front of the arm, weakness, and swelling.

Causes: Lifting heavy weights with improper form or overusing the biceps. They may occur during exercises like curls or chin-ups, especially when the weight is too heavy or the form is compromised. Prevention: Focus on proper lifting technique, include bicep-specific exercises in your routine, and avoid overloading the muscle.

Patellar tendonitis is characterized by pain just below the kneecap. It can progress from mild discomfort to persistent pain if not addressed. Causes: Inflammation due to frequent squatting and improper knee alignment, especially during activities that load the tendon, such as squats or jumps.

Prevention: Maintain proper squatting form, strengthen the quadriceps and hamstrings, and consider using knee-supportive gear if necessary. Knee injuries can vary from minor ligament strains to more severe tears, such as an anterior cruciate ligament ACL tear. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and instability, and recovery time will depend on the severity of the injury.

Prevention: Ensure proper squatting form, work on balanced muscle development around the knee joint, and avoid sudden increases in squatting intensity. Proper warm-up and cool-down routines are important for maintaining knee health.

Pain: Injuries during weight lifting can cause immediate pain, ranging from mild discomfort to severe pain, depending on the nature and severity of the injury.

Swelling: Swelling is a typical response to tissue damage. It can contribute to the pain and may indicate inflammation in the affected area. Restricted Movement: Injured muscles or joints may result in a limited range of motion, impacting the ability to perform specific exercises or activities.

Reduced Range of Motion: Persistent injuries may result in a gradual loss of flexibility and range of motion in the affected joints or muscles. Potential for Surgery: In severe cases, especially when ligaments or tendons are involved, surgery may be necessary for repair.

The surgery itself carries inherent risks and requires a lengthy recovery period. Muscle Imbalances: Untreated injuries can lead to muscle imbalances as the body compensates for weakened or injured areas. This imbalance increases the risk of future injuries. Fear of Re-injury: Those with weightlifting injuries, especially involving traumatic injury, may develop a fear of re-injury, impacting confidence in specific exercises.

Emotional Stress: Dealing with chronic pain or the aftermath of a severe injury can contribute to emotional stress, affecting mental well-being. Disruption of Training Routine: Injuries may disrupt regular training for elite athletes, leading to periods of inactivity or modified workouts.

Loss of Gains: Extended recovery times may result in the reduction of muscle mass and strength gains achieved through consistent weightlifting.

A recent study reveals that between and , close to a million Americans sought emergency room care for weight-training injuries. To effectively reduce the risk of weightlifting injuries, consider the following detailed strategies:.

Explore specialized guidance and tailored rehabilitation programs from experienced physical therapists at Backcountry Physio. Take a proactive step towards healing and preventing future issues—schedule your consultation today for personalized support on your weightlifting journey.

Weightlifting, while rewarding, requires a cautious and mindful approach. This knowledge enhances safety, ensuring a prolonged and enjoyable experience in weightlifting.

A1: Yes, muscle soreness, known as delayed onset muscle soreness DOMS , is normal after weightlifting, particularly when initiating a new routine or increasing intensity. It typically resolves within a few days. A2: Before returning to weightlifting with an existing injury, consult a healthcare professional for advice on modifications, exercises to avoid, and a safe progression plan.

This minimizes the risk of worsening the lifting weights injury. For those seeking proactive measures on how to avoid injury when lifting, prioritize proper warm-up, focus on impeccable form, and gradually increase weights. It may lead to fatigue, compromising technique, and increasing the risk of accidents.

Consistently lifting weights beyond your capacity can impact long-term joint health and athletic performance. Prioritize proper technique and gradual progression to minimize these risks.

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Request Appointment. Colorado Springs. Most Common Weightlifter Injuries and How to Reduce the Risk. October 30, Introduction Weightlifting is an excellent method to build strength and improve overall fitness. Most Common Weightlifter Injuries Weightlifters are prone to various injuries, and understanding these common lifting weights injuries is crucial for the prevention and effective management of the risk of injury.

Back Strain Back strain, a prevalent injury among weightlifters, significantly contributes to notable injury rates, particularly lumbar spine injuries. Affected muscles: Muscles of the lower back Causes: Occurs due to improper form or lifting too much weight, putting excessive stress on the lower back muscles.

Prevention: Pay attention to maintaining a neutral spine during lifts, avoid overloading, and ensure a gradual increase in weights to allow your lower back muscles to adapt Shoulder Impingement Shoulder impingement is another common issue among weightlifters.