Scientists: bodybuilding is always dangerous for the spine

Scientists from the Milan Institute have found that bodybuilding is always dangerous for the health of the spine. Scientists conducted a survey of 3,000 weightlifters aged 20 to 60 years of both sexes in fifteen countries. According to the study, all of them, without exception, have polymorphic osteochondrosis of varying degrees. At the same time, they suffer from pain in the spine, headaches, and have problems with blood pressure and potency. In general, in the most negative cases, osteochondrosis leads to disability and even paralysis. This is due to the fact that the spinal cord is located in the spine. The main danger comes from exercises such as squats and various vertical rows, which place an axial load on the spine. According to scientists, human intervertebral discs are not evolutionarily designed for heavy lifting. Fitness trainers still refer to an American study from the 90s, which showed that the intervertebral disc can withstand a load of up to ten tons. However, according to Italian scientists, this study does not meet scientific criteria. It was based on an abstract model of an absolutely homogeneous substance corresponding to the substance of the intervertebral disc. No physical tests were carried out. Initially, its characteristics, such as the density and length of the disk fiber, were distorted. Tensile and compression resistances were equalized, which is also incorrect. Scientists recalculated the data from the American study and came to the conclusion that with the initial inputs, such an intervertebral disc could withstand only 300 kilograms of a single peak load, but not ten tons. Real intervertebral discs have a heterogeneous structure both at the macro and micro levels. They consist of a nucleus pulposus and anulus fibrosus. Their densities are different in themselves and different at the transition points. The geometry of the internal disc structures, even in the healthiest people, is asymmetrical from birth. As a single unit, the intervertebral disc can withstand a maximum peak load of only 35 kilograms without any consequences. To start developing problems, according to the study, six sessions with excess load are enough. This is not the first publication in recent years talking about the dangers of weightlifting. In 2019, American journalists found out that a number of manufacturers of sports nutrition, pharmacology and fitness equipment in the USA and Europe actually entered into a conspiracy, which was designed not to focus attention on the negative consequences of weightlifting. For example, a 2013 British study that found that only 30% of weightlifters had back problems was actually falsified. In addition, it turned out that the participants in the conspiracy used bot farms that worked on sites dedicated to bodybuilding. Their task was to assure readers that they were bodybuilders who did not have any health problems, thereby setting an example for the average person. In another case, American scientists found that about 94% of people who took steroids for more than two months had hormonal problems. A Polish study showed an association with hand arthrosis when exercising with a manual expander whose load exceeds 25 kilograms.