Stroboscopy while Lifting Weights: A New Assessment Technique for Observing the Larynx in Strength Athletes while Lifting Weights (with and without Valsalva maneuver)

Samaneh  Ebrahimi; Mohsen  Avatef Rostami; Mandana Gholami; John W Dickinson; Mahdi  Bakhshi; Aslan  Ahmadi

doi:10.61838/kman.hn.1.2.2

Authors

Samaneh Ebrahimi PhD Student in Department of Sports Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran /Department of Speech Therapy, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0933-4261
Mohsen Avatef Rostami PhD Student in Department of Biomechanics, Faculty of Medical science and Technologies, South Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. / Department of Speech Therapy, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9236-911X
Mandana Gholami Associate Professor, Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Literature, Humanities and Social Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. Corresponding Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8960-4123
John W Dickinson Professor in School of Sport & Exercise Sciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NB, UK; Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1824-7402
Mahdi Bakhshi Department of Sport Injury and Corrective Exercise, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6109-5336
Aslan Ahmadi ENT and Head and Neck Research Center and Department, the Five Senses Institute, Hazrat Rasoul Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9375-6648

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.hn.1.2.2

Abstract

Lifting weights is a popular exercise method for improving the physical characteristics underlying performance in a wide range of sports. In order to perform these lifts safely and efficiently, strength athletes use purposeful holding of breath, strong exhalation against closed vocal cords. These are commonly known as Valsalva Maneuvers (VM) or hard glottis closures to increase core stability and reduce some of the load on the spine, and to facilitate lifting by increasing glottis closure and subsequently increasing intra-thoracic and intra-abdominal pressure. This function may expose athletes to an increased risk of laryngeal irritation or injury due to excessive pressure on the vocal cords during VM performance. Despite extensive weight training exercises in sports, its effects on vocal cords and overall laryngeal health have not yet been systematically studied. This brief methodological report describes how to safely use sports stroboscopy in strength training with weightlifting. This technique was safe and allowed to receive high quality and stable images of the larynx with minimal impact on weightlifting.