Comparison of Abdominal Pressure and Cardiac Parameters Between Normal Powerlifters and Obese Individuals

Rajan Balakrishnana¹*, Vanitha Krishna Subbaiah², Annie Thomas³, Arun B⁴ and Selvaraj Sudhakar^5
1Lecturer, MAHSA University, Malaysia, PhD Research Scholar, Garden City University, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
²Research Supervisor & Professor, Garden City University, Bangalore. Karnataka, India
³Research Supervisor & Professor, Garden City University, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
⁴External Research Supervisor, Garden City University, Bangalore, Karnataka, India, Physiotherapist Grade II, Government District Headquarters Hospital, Erode, Tamil Nadu, India
⁵Professor,Dr.M.G.R.Educational and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu
*Corresponding Author: Rajan Balakrishnan, Lecturer, MAHSA University, Malaysia, PhD Research Scholar, Garden City University, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.

Published: November 02, 2023

DOI: 10.55162/MCMS.05.175

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Abstract  

Obesity is a chronic medical condition characterized by excessive body fat accumulation. It is a primary global health concern associated with various adverse health outcomes. Lack of physical activity is one of the primary reasons for obesity. This study compares the abdominal pressure changes and cardiac parameters between obese individuals with and without powerlifting exercises. This study included 50 individuals divided into 25 in each group. The first group was only obese individuals who weren’t doing any exercises, whereas the second group of individuals were participating in the powerlifting exercises. Selection criteria are male powerlifters, obese individuals with a BMI over 30, age group of 25—40 years, and powerlifters doing powerlifting for a minimum of two years without cardiac anomalies, pain, or pulmonary complications. The intra-abdominal pressure and cardiac parameters were measured using the Chattanooga stabilizer pressure feedback device and pulse oximeter. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 24.0. There was no significance when comparing the pre-intervention values; all the p-values are insignificant. While comparing the values of the immediate powerlifting intervention (6.926 p < 0.462, 4.599 p < 0.0001, 10.437 p < 0.617) and five minutes post power lifting intervention (6.178 p < 1.133, 6.871 p < 1.161, 9.975 p < 4.96), there is a marked significance. This study concludes that when comparing intra-abdominal pressure and cardiac parameters between obese individuals who engage in powerlifting exercises and those who do not, a significant reduction in intra-abdominal pressure is noted in powerlifters. In contrast, obese individuals who do not engage in powerlifting exercises do not experience a reduction in intra-abdominal pressure, and their cardiac parameters remain unchanged.

Keywords: Powerlifters; Obesity; Intra-abdominal pressure; heart rate; respiratory rate; Pulse oximetry; Chattanooga pressure biofeedback

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