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Forget "the exercise" for a moment and think about what happens between exercises. The next time you "lift" a dumbbell from the stack or an object from the floor, consider that the weight in your hand exerts forces on your body that, over time--for better or worse--can change the structure of your tissues. This is a powerful concept. Some of the heaviest loads on your spine are generated while you lift heavy objects. Between each vertebra in the spine is that jelly filled shock-absorbing structure called a "disk." You may have heard of it; it attracts a lot of press.
A 170 lb. man "correctly" lifting 200 lbs., approximately 14 inches from his spine, exerts a force of 2,072 lbs. on his low back disks. When lifting a weight, the force exerted on the low spine, can roughly be calculated as 10-times the amount being lifted. The further from the spine the weight, the greater the compression and shear force on the back. If you add a "twist" or spine rotation (also known as poor posture), you increase the load substantially. Avoid injury by ensuring you are practicing safe-movement mechanics.
There are many well-trained teachers and trainers here at the club and we can give you valuable feedback.
If you, or someone you know, is already suffering with a back injury, I may be of help.
Please call for more information, either at the club, or by telephone at 805-798-1408. 1-14-05
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