Isometric Muscle Injury

People engage in many types of muscular exercise, including weight lifting, which involves movement, and isometric training, where a person exerts pressure against an immovable object. Just like weightlifting, a person can injure muscles during isometric exercise.

Significance

• An isometric muscle injury can be as severe as any weightlifting injury. Pushing against an immovable object or carrying something without arm movement can put an immense amount of pressure on a muscle.

Cause

• During an isometric movement, a muscle can actually attempt to handle more weight than it is capable of handling. It will usually lengthen to capacity and exert pressure on the muscle and tendons. This can result in a pulled or strained muscle where muscle fibers tear to varying degrees.

Effects

• A person with an isometric muscle injury can suffer mild to severe pain. In some cases the tendons can become detached from the bone to the point where the muscle no longer contracts. Surgery is usually required in the latter type of injury.

Treatment

• Most isometric muscle injuries can be treated with rest, anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or naproxen and ice. Ice is typically used at 15 to 20 minute intervals during the first two or three days. This helps alleviate inflammation and pain, according to Emedicine Health.

Prevention/Solution

• You should warm up properly before engaging in any isometric exercises. Stretching or light resistance training will increase blood flow before heavy muscle contractions are undertaken, which can help prevent injuries.