The
Influence of Weightlifting on the Woman's Body - Part III by
Prof. Angel Spassov, Ph.D., D.Sc. I do not doubt that, in spite of
the aforementioned, most people perceive women's weightlifting as a rather dangerous
job. Apropos of this, we can observe that there exists other sport in which the
momentary strength resistance is considerably higher than in weightlifting. Such
examples can be found in the track and field athletics - jumping, throwing, running
100m, acrobatics, gymnastics, rowing etc. It is also important that the technique
of the competitive and auxiliary exercises in the weightlifting sport provide
the possibility for muscles and parts of the body under power strain to work in
a most convenient position, favorable from a biomechanical point of view. At the
same time power strain in a number of sports involves unfavorable position of
body parts, twisting of the joints and unfavorable impact on woman's internal
organs. The highest power strain developed in the weightlifting sport
can reach up 165% of the amount of the lifted weight -at the moment of the maximum
effort in the second pull. The heaviest weight lifted by a woman so far is the
achievement of Karyn Tartner (USA) in the clean and jerk-137.5kg, hence the maximum
power strain could have been (theoretically) 226.9kg Though not knowing K. Tartner's
exact bodyweight we are sure that she achieved this result in the 82.5kg bodyweight
category. An acrobat (woman) who is doing a double back somersault develops power
that is 5-6 times bigger than her own bodyweight. If we assume that she weighs
50kg, then the maximum power strain will vary from 250 to 300kg. The
power strain in weightlifting sport observed with women is considerably lower
than the power strain involved in many disciplines defined as women's. Certainly
the results achieved by women weightlifters will grow higher from now on, with
the application of correctly designed methods, however weightlifting is not dangerous;
even more it can become a very good vehicle to obtain physical and health strengthening
of women. Through the symmetrical loading of all muscle groups of
the body, weightlifting can contribute to the building of strong, well-shaped
and proportionate athletic figure, it can strengthen the joints and improve the
physiological functions the body. This determines the great merits of, and
respect to, those who have already begun and whom we speak of as pioneers: those
who have turned over a new page in the development of our sport. Lifting
during the menstruation period Complete interruption
of workouts during the menstruation period is not recommended. It is normal to
reduce the loading, however, exercises are to be continued, provided the menstruation
takes its normal course and no gynecological changes occur. Certain physical exercises
even ease the indisposition usually felt by women in this part of the cycle. Weight
training normally increases the blood flow in the abdominal and pelvis areas and
could cause prolonged bleeding and injury to the whole cycle. That is why light
training is recommended, arms to be trained by lighter weights at a lying position.
However, menstruation has a considerable impact on working capacity of women
(especially strength resistance). Though certain authors assert that the working
capacity during the menstruation period is not reduced (A. B. Handelsmann,K. M.
Smirnov, 1963, H. Noak, K. Tittel 1955 etc.) the following regularity can be observed:
the working capacity curve is lowest, during the premenstruation period end the
first menstruation days. It is desirable that each workout ends with relaxation
exercises. Then it goes upwards to reach its peak in the first days
of the postmenstrustion period (S. A. Jagunov, L. N. Stattzeva). Our work with
competitive women athletes in the weightlifting, swimming, track and field athletics,
tennis, fencing and rowing doing weight training showed that the approach to women
athletes working to capacity during the menstruation is quite individual. Within
the competing experience of sportswomen we came upon some cases in which their
motivation placed them in such a position that in spite of the side effects of
menstruation they achieved results higher than their personal records. Regardless
of these cases, however, most women, athletes included, consider menstruation
as an obstacle to their preparation and participation in contests.
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