Laryngeal Symptoms in Weightlifting Athletes

A preliminary investigation to explore (1) the influence of different exercise conditions on the prevalence and nature of reported sensory and auditory-perceptual voice symptoms, and (2) whether type of self-reported laryngeal behaviors used during weightlifting are related to report of laryngeal symptoms in weightlifting athletes.

Prospective self-completion questionnaire design.

A total of 89 people (36 males, 53 females) who self-identified as individuals who regularly partook in exercise completed a self-report questionnaire administered using Qualtrics software.

Weightlifting was part of 78.7% (n = 70/89) of participants' workout routine. Nearly half (46%, n = 12/26) of self-identified weightlifting athletes reported suffering from at least one laryngeal symptom (throat pain, change in voice, or globus sensation), which was significantly higher (P= 0.008) than that reported by the cardiovascular group (14%, n = 4/29). The most prevalent laryngeal symptom reported by 25.3% (n = 17) of participants after weightlifting was the presence of a globus sensation (ie, the feeling of something stuck in their throat). Throat pain after heavy lifting and a change in voice quality after weightlifting was reported by 22.9% (n = 16) and 11.4% (n = 8) of participants respectively. There were no significant differences (P> 0.05) between reported laryngeal symptoms and the self-reported laryngeal behaviors used during weightlifting (ie, breath hold during the lift, simultaneous release of breath during the lift, or grunting/yelling during the lift).

As weightlifting increases in popularity, many participants may find themselves experiencing throat pain or hoarseness after heavy lifts. Whilst a particular cause of these symptoms in weightlifters cannot be identified from this study, the reported presence of pain, globus sensation, and change in voice by this group indicates the need for further research.