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The Effect of Weightlifting On Intraocular Pressure In Glaucoma Patients

Ophthalmology, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY

Commercial Relationships: L.A. Polikoff, None; M. Fahim, None; R. Chanis, None; A. Toor, None; J. Serle, None.

Grant Identification: Support: NEI EY01867, Research to Prevent Blindness, Samuel and May Rudin Foundation

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the effect of weightlifting exercises on intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients.

Methods: Previously diagnosed glaucoma patients who performed weightlifting exercises at least twice a week were enrolled. The exercises evaluated included flat bench press, leg press, standing triceps extension, seated rows and stomach crunches. IOP measurements were made using a pneumatonometer (Model 30, Mentor Corporation, Waltham, PA.). Baseline IOP was taken prior to beginning the exercise regimen with the patient sitting. Pre–exercise IOP was measured in the position of each exercise: supine for bench press, leg press and stomach crunches; standing for triceps extensions; sitting for seated rows. Patients used the amount of weight they would normally use during their exercise regimen. For each exercise, 5 repetitions were performed. Intra–exercise IOP was measured with the machine held at full extension on the 5^th repetition for every exercise except stomach crunches. Post–exercise IOP was measured 1 minute after every exercise. Pre–exercise IOP was compared with intra– and post–exercise IOP using a two–tailed t–test.

Results: Eight patients (7 Caucasian and 1 Asian; mean age ± SD; 63.8 ±13.2 years ) were evaluated. Diagnoses included POAG 4, PDS 2, NTG 1, and OHT 1. All patients were on medical therapy for glaucoma, which included Cosopt 5, Xalatan 5, Alphagan 2, Lumigan 1, pilocarpine 4% 1, Propine 1, Timoptic 0.5% 2.

Exercise Table 1: Exercise–Induced Changes in Intraocular Pressure Mean Pre–exercise IOPs (mmHg ± SD) Mean Intra–exercise IOPs (mmHg ± SD) Mean 1 min post–exercise IOPs (mmHg ± SD) Bench press 19.6 ± 5.8 21.9 ± 8.0 18.9 ± 6.2 Triceps Extension 18.5 ± 6.0 18.1 ± 6.3 17.7 ± 5.2* Seated rows 17.4 ± 4.9 19.2 ± 5.4 18.2 ± 6.0 Stomach Crunches 19.8 ± 6.6 N/A 20.4 ± 5.0 Leg press 19.5 ± 6.9 19.1 ± 6.8 18.9 ± 6.0

Significant increase in IOP,*Significant reduction in IOP.

IOP elevations for bench press and seated rows ranged from 0.3 to 7.3 mmHg and 0.3 to 8.7 mmHg respectively.

Conclusions: The duration of IOP elevation that is deleterious for glaucoma patients is unknown. In this population five repetitions of bench press and seated rows increased IOP, with a rapid return to baseline. We did not determine if a larger number of repetitions would cause greater increases in IOP of longer duration. Since certain exercises may lead to elevated IOP in susceptible individuals, identifying these exercises may allow practitioners to alter patients training regimen.

Keywords: intraocular pressure • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: risk factor assessment • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: treatment/prevention assessment/controlled clinical trials

© 2004, The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Inc., all rights reserved. For permission to reproduce any part of this abstract, contact the ARVO Office at arvo{at}arvo.org.