In the gym, I often see girls squatting with barbells. At first, I rushed to explain to them why it is dangerous. But I have never met reciprocity.
Over the years, I gained wisdom, and now I look at all these squats with the same sadness, but philosophically. Alas, the consequences will be, and very depressing.
Let me try to clearly explain what the matter is.
In the picture there are two pelvis, female and male. I marked the pelvic floor areas on them in red.
Note, what a strong muscle corset men have there. Women do not have such a thing.
Nature deliberately weakened this place, otherwise women would not be able to give birth.
There is also a second important factor.
Muscles at almost any age can be "pumped up", they have elasticity. The connective tissue, of which the pelvic floor in women mainly consists, practically does not have elasticity, and with age it completely loses it.
Not only do we constantly create pressure on the pelvic floor due to our "uprightness", we also increase it by lifting weights.
If we walked on four limbs (I do not call anyone), then the pressure would be distributed differently. And since we are on 2 legs, it can press either up or down. It will not be possible to push upwards - there is a strong diaphragm that protects the most important organs - the heart and lungs. And down - easy and simple.
If a woman regularly lifts heavy objects, then the connective tissue of the pelvic floor will constantly stretch. And since she lacks elasticity, after some time she will not be able to return to the “tightened” (initial) position. Will happen sagging (prolapse) of the pelvic floor.
Will begin very unpleasant urine leakage. You will not be able to sneeze or laugh. Life will cease to be comfortable. And then you have to go under the surgeon's scalpel, and the operation does not always solve the problem to the end.
Intimate gymnastics, or Kegel gymnastics, which are suggested to strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor, actually cannot protect against this prolapse. Of course, it's worth doing it, but look again at the picture - we have very few muscles there to solve the problem.
How much weight can you still lift?
Intra-abdominal pressure causes any weight. Conduct an experiment: put one hand on your stomach, and with the other hand lift a bottle of water or a full kettle, let's say about 2 kg. You will feel that the abdominal wall immediately tightened, the intra-abdominal pressure increased.
It is believed that 5 kg will not do harm, since the uterus weighs about the same as the baby (fetus). So try to keep within these numbers.
There is scientific research on this
IN first study interviewed (I emphasize - this was a survey, and only subjective feelings) young athletes lifting heavy weights. And they were no more than a control group complaining of symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse.
But another study, also last year, demonstrated what I wrote above - the symptoms of pelvic floor organ prolapse were the same with the control group, and urine leakage was more frequent. And this is not in the elderly, but in young women.
there is article from 2007which describes this problem well.
And finally, about the factors contributing to the development of such problems:
1. Weak connective tissuewhat is called a genetically inherent dysfunction (I'll tell you more about this sometime);
2. Overweight and obesity;
3. Lifting large weights and on a regular basis;
4. Multiple pregnancies and childbirth;
5. Certain sports. For example, powerlifting, weightlifting, trampoline or high jumping more contribute to the development of pelvic floor prolapse.
6. Of course, age: Sex hormones decrease and sexual problems increase.
Your Doctor Pavlova.
