Why Do Powerlifters Get Nosebleeds?

Though nose bleeds aren’t common, but some lifters going extremely heavy may experience it. But most of such nose bleeds aren’t serious and temporary in nature. They mostly resolve on their very own.

In a lift which requires maximal effort, like a 1RM deadlift or squat, the powerlifter creates an enormous amount of tension within the body in type of body bracing, on account of which there intra-abdominal and intra-thoracic pressure goes up, which shoots up their blood pressure.

Now, unlike the guts and vascular system, the blood vessels sinuses, eye balls and under the skin, can either contain the pressure, The elevated blood pressure forces blood vessels within the nose and even eyes to burst and results in “epistaxis”, or a nose bleed, and red discoloration within the whites of the eyes.

There are several reasons for this rise in blood pressure:

1. Valsalva Manoeuvre – During heavy lifting, most lifters hold their breath of their belly, and exhale forcefully.

During resistance exercise, a temporary Valsalva manoeuvre is unavoidable when lifting heavy loads (>80% of maximal voluntary contraction) or when lifting lighter loads to failure. Performance of the Valsalva manoeuvre during resistance exercise increases the soundness of the spine on account of augmented intra-abdominal pressure. The Valsalva manoeuvre was related to a rise in blood pressure during resistance exercise.

Valsalva straining during lifting may produce sudden blood pressure transitions each during and immediately after straining .

During maximal efforts, the blood pressure can steeply rise. A study showed that in maximal effort lifts, the blood pressure may rise from a median resting blood pressure of 127/80 to 311/284. The study suggested that, arterial hypertension produced during heavy weight lifting with Valsalva is extreme and will be dramatically reduced when the exercise is performed with an open glottis(without Valsalva).

This manoeuvre combined with the force being exerted on the lower legs drives plenty of blood from the lower legs. All of this results in a rise in blood pressure within the upper body, the neck, and the top.

2. Supportive Gear – powerlifters use strong compressive gears for support during heavy lifts, like weight belts, knee wraps, squat suits, in an effort to maximise trunk stability and rigidity during lifts. These gears are extremely tight and compressive, and combined with the Valsalva manoeuvre can generate an amazing amount of pressure on the body.