Surgery Tomorrow
- Thread starter Baron
- Start date
so this means no more lower-body workouts for many months or forever?
Baron
ET Founder
Actually, the doctor wants me to get back to physical activity asap, starting with walking about 20 minutes in the morning and then 20 minutes in the evening. I can return to light lower body workouts in about a week.
What they don't want me doing are heavy squats while grunting. I'm told that holding your breath while the body is under a heavy load creates massive pressure in the blood vessels which is when things can blow out. I guess there's some merit to exhaling on the positive portion of the movement after all.
Interesting point. In 2003, I ran into difficulty with leg presses. (This is when I was still doing barbell squats as well.) What happened was that I would occcasionally develop an incredible headache while doing leg presses. I know how to breathe properly during a set, but it seems I was probably exhaling a bit too slowly during exertion. I had recently upped the weight to well over 4 times my body weight for low reps of about 8 to 10. The immediate and immense headache was accompanied by nausea. It would subside, but return immediately upon meaningful exertion. I ended up seeing a neurologist and had an MRI. All was well, and the diagnosis was..."exertion headache." It happened again once or twice after the initial episode. Therefore, since that last episode, I reduced my leg press weight to about 4 times body weight (for 20 or so reps on the first set) and actually reversed the breathing pattern, just to be on the safe side. Specifically, I exhaled on the down movement, using my controlled exhalation almost as an air brake, and actually inhaled during much of the push movement. It seems counterintuitive, but it worked and I never had a similar episode again. The leg press was the only exercise for which I had reversed the breathing pattern. Of course, that's all in the past. I'm a pistolero now.
Speaking of which, when you are fully recovered and ready to go again, are you going to give pistol squats a try? As I had mentioned previously, they make for an incredible upper leg workout, and you can up the resistance by holding progressively heavier dumbbells over time. I'd be willing to bet a dollar that, once you get it down properly, you won't give them up. Done properly, it's a beautiful movement. And you really, really feel it, especially towards the end of a set.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/75646-arterial-blood-pressure-response-heavy/
http://www.acsm.org/docs/current-comments/safetysquat.pdf
Valsalva Maneuver learn as much as possible regarding the Valsalva Maneuver during weight training
http://www.livestrong.com/article/147595-what-causes-weight-training-headaches/
The issue of Valsalva maneuver is important to know if you weight train. Valsalva maneuver may trigger weight training headaches and is especially dangerous to those with cardiac issues and high blood pressure. When you hold your breath and exert a great amount of energy there is increased chest and abdominal pressure. As chest cavity pressure increases, blood pressure also rises and blood flow to the heart and chest cavity is minimal, which then decreases blood flow to the brain. When you let go and breathe there is a sudden rush of blood to the heart and brain that can cause dizziness, headaches, seeing spots and even fainting. (Reference 2)
Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/147595-what-causes-weight-training-headaches/#ixzz20MCgaiB0
Is the Valsalva Maneuver a Proper Breathing Technique?
http://journals.lww.com/nsca-scj/Ci..._Valsalva_Maneuver_a_Proper_Breathing.13.aspx
The Impact of the Valsalva Maneuver During Resistance Exercise
http://journals.lww.com/nsca-scj/Ci...mpact_of_the_Valsalva_Maneuver_During.18.aspx
May I recommend studies you do regarding training that your research is directed towards the
NSCA - National Sports and Conditioning Assoc. http://www.nsca.com/Home/
ACSM - American College of Sports Medicine http://www.acsm.org/
I know it sounds a bit crazy, but I got rid of my office chair two years ago. I put a treadmill under the desk and raised my desk by 18 inches. I now walk slowly (1.3 m/h) all day longs. It's done wonders for my back, knees, overall health, and I'm more energetic than before. It took a few weeks before I could type consistently while walking, but now I prefer walking to sitting.
There's an excellent book "Move a little lose a lot" that was the inspiration to get started. For me the "losing" part has not worked, but overall it's been an incredible plus.
Excellent! Best of luck with the other leg-maybe buy a new taurus hammerless when it's all over? 
cheers
cheers
