Warning: Voice problems from Weight Lifting

[IronMikeUVA]

Preface: My speech pathologist friend put me onto an article about weightlifters damaging their vocal cords and I have briefly reviewed this to make the ABC community aware of it. Please let me know what you think.

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It is a possibility for weightlifters and others who engage in athletic activity to have “aggravated voice and laryngeal problems.” (Banotai, 2005) Particularly because of the strenuous nature of weight training, athletes often hold their breath while lifting. When holding one’s breath, a grunting noise is often made which can be “very vocally abusive.” (Banotai, 2005)
Many weightlifters, myself included, believe that grunting gives extra energy in the hardest part of the motion of the set or when reaching failure. This, in fact, is not the case. When lifting or pushing, the vocal cords close to gain power in the upper body. This closing of the vocal cords creates pressure in the upper body and this is a natural and healthy response (Banotai, 2005). However, when the vocal cords are opened by grunting, one is squandering the power created while pushing one’s muscles to failure. In addition, the strain put on the vocal cords may lead to dysphonia, which is caused by damage to the framework of cartilage containing the vocal cords (Healthscout, 2005) This causes the voice to have a “tight, strained or strangled quality.” (NIDCD, 2002) If grunting during workouts continues for an extended period of time, the damage to the vocal cords can become much more severe and hoarseness will increase or become constant (Banotai, 2005)
Kathleen T. Cox, PhD CCC-SLP recommends that one breathes through the exertion in a workout as to not irritate the vocal cords if you must exhale during that part of the set.

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Banotai, Alyssa. Straining for Strength. Advance for Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists. 15(29):6-8

Spasmodic Dysphonia. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Feb. 2002 Avaiblible at: http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/spasdysp.asp (Accessed 8.3.05)

Dysphonia – Symtoms, Treatment and Prevention. USA Today Health Scout. 2005. Availible at: http://www.healthscout.com/ency/68/647/main.html (Accessed 8.3.05)

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[Chiron]

Jeezzz, thnx for this post, never realised this. I dont grunt alot like others who I see/hear do but my occasional grunt does occur.
Would this be the case of Mike Tyson. I mean I heard this guy speak on tv, and hes very squeaky. No disrespect to the guy, hes a legend in his own right.

[erikirl]

so you should hold your breath on the exertion and exhale at the peak while holding, and then inhale on the way down? thats usually what i do.

[Kristen]

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so you should hold your breath on the exertion and exhale at the peak while holding, and then inhale on the way down? thats usually what i do.

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I think the point is to NOT hold your breath - exhale on the exertion, and inhale on the negative.

[erikirl]

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I think the point is to NOT hold your breath - exhale on the exertion, and inhale on the negative.

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Didnt look that way to me:

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When lifting or pushing, the vocal cords close to gain power in the upper body (Holding your breath).

Kathleen T. Cox, PhD CCC-SLP recommends that one breathes through the exertion in a workout as to not irritate the vocal cords if you must exhale during that part of the set.

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[IronMikeUVA]

If you must exhale in any way while really straining, it is better to exhale than grunt out that breath. However, as the normal physiological response is to hold the breath the create pressure, this is the ideal thing to do. Just remember to breathe for the rest of the set.