Prevalence of asymptomatic lumbar disc herniation in heavy weight- lifters

Introduction: Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a prevalent spinal condition, especially among weightlifters, due to the mechanical load placed on the lumbar spine. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of lumbar disc herniation, pain patterns, and the influence of gender, age, and weight on pain outcomes in heavy weightlifters. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 90 weightlifters aged 25-50 years, including 62 males and 28 females. Participants were assessed for lumbar disc herniation using the Slump Test and pain severity was evaluated with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for both the left and right legs. Statistical analyses, including Chi-Square, ANOVA, and Logistic Regression, were employed to determine the associations between gender, age, weight, and pain distribution. Results: The results showed that 68.25% of male participants and 72.41% of female participants exhibited lumbar disc herniation. A notable of 44.44% of participants had bilateral disc herniation. Pain assessment indicated that 32 participants experienced mild pain in the left leg, while 33 reported moderates to severe pain in the right leg. The Chi-Square test revealed a significant association between gender and pain distribution (p = 0.0455), with males more likely to report right leg pain. ANOVA showed no significant impact of body weight on pain outcomes (p = 0.5154). Logistic regression analyses confirmed that weight did not significantly affect pain in the right, left, or both legs. Conclusion: The study found that lumbar disc herniation is common in weightlifters, with gender influencing pain distribution. However, body weight and age were not significant predictors of pain outcomes. These findings suggest that occupational factors and biomechanical stress are major contributors to lumbar disc herniation, emphasizing the importance of proper lifting techniques, core strength, and physical conditioning in prevention injury.