Diagnosis and Management of Headache in the Weight-lifting Athlete

Abstract

Weight lifters suffer from the same headache syndromes that affect all human beings. They are also susceptible to headache types brought on by their activity. Three headache syndromes, cervicogenic headache, benign exertional headache, and effort-induced migraine headache, appear to be more common in the weight-lifting athlete. This article discusses the diagnosis and treatment of these headache syndromes.

Incidence of Primary Exercise Headache in Resistance Trained Athletes

“…To the significance of this study, one of the sports which may expose athletes to PEH is resistance training (12). Weight training has been reported as the second most frequent headache-related sports after running (12).…”

“…Weight training has been reported as the second most frequent headache-related sports after running (12). The study of Jahani et al on an Iranian population showed that wrestlers had a higher rate of headache prevalence than other athletes (13).…”

“…Only a few case reports of headache in weightlifters have been reported so far (14)(15)(16). Furthermore, previous studies describe three major headache types which are of concern in weightlifters: Benign PEH, cervicogenic headache, and effort-induced migraine headache (12). However, the pathophysiology of the headache is not recognized fully.…”

“…Mechanisms referred to the disorder are dysfunction of trigeminovascular, cervicogenic muscle tension and incompetence of jugular veins (17). Also, overextended activity can raise intracranial venous sinus pressure, resulting in elevated intracranial pressure, which consequently decreases cerebral blood flow and leads to PEH in weight lifter athletes (12). These studies only form the basis of our understanding of headaches in resistance trained athletes (12).…”

“…Also, overextended activity can raise intracranial venous sinus pressure, resulting in elevated intracranial pressure, which consequently decreases cerebral blood flow and leads to PEH in weight lifter athletes (12). These studies only form the basis of our understanding of headaches in resistance trained athletes (12). Even in the ICHD-III classification, sub-groups such as weightlifter's headache are mentioned but have not been specifically classified (1).…”