The effect of a weight lifting belt on electromyographic activation of some selected muscles during lifting

Weight lifting belts are commonly used in variety of athletes such as weightlifters, power lifters and bodybuilders. Basically, athletes believe that wearing belt is effective in preventing injuries and improving performance. But, controversy exists among researchers regarding the effectiveness of using weightlifting belt. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of wearing a weightlifting belt on electromyographic activation of some selected muscles during lifting. Eight power lifters (age: 21.5 ± 3.8 yrs, height: 175.75 ± 7.7 cm, weight: 82.8 ± 11.2 kg) with no history of back pain or injury participated in the study. Each subject lifted loads (80 to 270 kg) both with and without wearing the weightlifting belt. Surface electromyographic activity was recorded from rectus abdominis, external oblique, external oblique and erector spinae muscles during lifting tasks in sampling rate of 1000 Hz. Results from lifting, holding and lowering phases showed no significant differences in muscles activity between two lifting tasks. It is assumed that wearing the belts improves trunk stability. If so, it was expected that the erector spinae muscles activity would reduced during lifting with belt condition. But, we observed an increased activation of the erector spinae muscles during lifting with weightlifting belt. These findings raise some doubt that wearing a weightlifting belt can provide stability on trunk during power lifting lift.