J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2009 Dec;50(12):1831-1839. 10.3341/jkos.2009.50.12.1831.

The Effect of Positional Changes during Heavy Weight Lifting on Intraocular Pressure

• Song HY
• Jeoung SM
• Im JS
• Lee E
• Kwon JD

• KMID: 2212995
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2009.50.12.1831

Abstract

PURPOSE
To measure intraocular pressure (IOP) as a function of positional changes of the head during heavy weight lifting.
METHODS
The subjects of this study were 30 healthy adult males in their twenties to forties. This study investigated their ophthalmic examinations, BMI (body mass index), and 1RM (one repetition maximum) according to the three bench press positions.
RESULTS
Before exercising, the IOP was higher in the lowered head position in the decline bench press (18.20+/-2.89 mmHg) than in the incline bench press (14.38+/-2.32 mmHg) (p<0.001). The IOP increased significantly during the bench press exercise, relative to during the pre-exercise (p<0.001). Upon lift down, IOP increased by 3.72+/-1.85 mmHg greater than upon lift up, and mean IOP increased by 2.61+/-1.63 mmHg (p<0.001). In our experiments, IOP increased to a maximum of 22.10+/-2.79 mmHg, measured during lift down in the decline bench press configuration. The BMI and the IOP before exercise showed significant correlation (p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
IOP increased more during exercise involving a lower head position. Further study is needed to know the extent to which this result is relevant for glaucoma patients and which activities and head positions during exercise may worsen glaucoma. In the meantime, patients with severe glaucoma may need to avoid lifting heavy objects with a lowered head position.

Keyword

Bench press; Intraocular pressure; Positional change; Valsalva maneuver; Weight lifting

MeSH Terms

Adult
Glaucoma
Head
Humans
Intraocular Pressure
Lifting
Male
Valsalva Maneuver
Weight Lifting

Figure

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  Figure 1. Comparison of intraocular pressure (IOP) on pre-exercising and lift down, lift up when exerted 80% of 1RM 2′ (repetition maximum) at the point of keeping breath hold in 3 exercising positions.

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  Figure 2. Scatterplot of the distribution of intraocular pressure(IOP) variations 5 minutes to maintain posture in 3 positions before exercise.

Reference

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