Effect of Valsalva Maneuver by Heavy Weight Lifters on Ear and Its Attributes

It is observed that people hold their breath while heavy weight lifting to get extra strength. Holding the breath during weight lifting can lead to abnormal increase in middle ear pressure which can lead to several hearing/auditory complications. The objective of the study was to investigate the impact of heavy weightlifting on various parameters related to ears like blocking sensation, tinnitus, vertigo, headache and temporary threshold shift across light and heavy weightlifters, as amateur weightlifting among youth is rapidly increasing. A cross-sectional survey design was used in this study. Based on the random sampling strategy, 40 participants in the age range of were selected across various gyms in Gurgaon India. The participants were equally divided into two categories; light weigh-lifters (LWL) who lifted half of the body weight and heavy weightlifters (HWL) who lifted equal or more than the body weight. A questionnaire was developed, validated and administered which consists of 23 questions targeting blocking sensation, tinnitus, vertigo, temporary threshold shift and headache. Chi-square analysis revealed that higher proportion of HWL group experienced blocking sensation (65% vs 25%), tinnitus (70% vs 35%), vertigo (75% vs 40%), headache (80% vs 35%), and temporary threshold shift (60% vs 35%) then the LWL group. Strenuous exercises like heavy weight lifting can lead to various ear problems such as blocking sensation, temporary threshold shift, tinnitus, and vertigo, which, may lead to hearing loss.