It is very common to use weight lifting belts (CLP) in a fitness and sports context. We easily see athletes and non-athletes using them when practicing weight training. Many find that the use of this equipment is ancillary, while others find it essential for improving the performance of weight lifting and especially for their safety. In fact, the safety effect is one that is most sought after by those who use CLPs (Finnie et al., 2003), although most use indiscriminately (with any kind of load) and some in all exercises, even in those that there is no overload in the spine (Finnie et al., 2003).

Renfro & Ebben, (2006) published an article in which they present a review of the literature on what had been done about the use of CLP, both in the clinical context and in the sporting context. The main conclusions of this study were that there was no scientific evidence to date that the use of CLP was effective in the prevention of lumbar injuries in a work context and even in the context of physical exercise practice. However, in the context of training with weightlifting it seems that the use of CLPs may bring some benefits, such as: i) reduction of compression of the spine; ii) stabilization of the vertebral column; iii) increased recruitment of motor units in the first movements; and iv) increase the execution speed of the exercises.

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Thus, according to Renfro & Ebben (2006), the use of CLP can be positive in injury prevention and performance. But is it really? Let us observe what other literature tells us.

In relation to injury prevention, there are two factors that are responsible for the stabilization of the spine by muscular structures (Cholewicki et al, 1999): i) co-activation of the trunk flexion antagonist muscles; ii) contraction of the muscles of the abdominal zone creating an increase of intra abdominal pressure (IAP).

In addition, the factor that is most associated with the protective effect of CLP is the increase in the PIA (Harman et al., 1989; Lander et al., 1990; McGill et al., 1990; Lander et al., 1992). According to some authors, PIA decreases the effect of compressions acting on the lumbar spine (Harman et al., 1989; Lander et al., 1992). A reduction of about 25% -40% in the effect of spinal compression forces with the increase of PIA in squatting exercise was estimated (Lander et al., 1992). Supporting this idea, Bourne & Reilly (1991) observed that the use of CLP means that the decrease in stature, due to a training with weights in circuit, is less than performing the same circuit with the belt.
In terms of conclusion, the literature remains controversial regarding the benefits of the use of CLP in the prevention of lumbar spine injuries, even being associated with its use as a factor extrinsic to the higher incidence of injuries in this zone in powerliftings (Siewe et al., 2011) and even in airport cargo workers who carried out their training with belt weights and then stopped using it (Reddell et al., 1992).

Therefore, we suggest following the indications of Finnie et al., 2003 on the use of weight-lifting belts: i) only be used when using maximum or close to maximum weights; ii) should not be used in exercises that do not cause stress in the spine or that this stress is minimal; iii) Thoroughly train the correct technique of strength training exercises that cause stress in the spine in order to alleviate this stress and not leave immediately for the use of CLP.

Personal Trainers do not limit ourselves to training, we believe that knowledge is a promoter of change and we train those who train with us intensively so that their success is guaranteed.

Text by Carlos Pinto.