Ankle weights during aerobic activity okay or bad?
Hi Averil,
I believe that I have a good source for you: http://health.msn.com/health-topics/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=10026…. In that article, some studies are quoted including one conducted by Len Kravitz who to me is a most reliable source.
Hi Averil. In addition to the link that Karin provides (in which the Kravitz study seems to indicate that performing aerobic exercise with the additional external weights was no better than doing the same cardio exercise without it), there are other reports (if not studies) that talk about the potential for ligament strains, sprains, muscle strains and tears as some of the possible muscular-skeletal injuries that could occur when using ankle weights during aerobic activity.
I would say that given that there may be no additional BENEFIT from doing this, and there is a potential for added risk of injury, why do it?
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
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Performed a dirty search and there seems to be not much evidence on ankle weights. Below is reported conclusion.
Claremont et al. 1988
The results indicate that commercial claims of marked increases in energy expenditure during running with hand/ankle weights are exaggerated. It appears that the small actual increases in energy expenditure, the potential for increased impact forces, and the relative discomfort of carrying weights discredit running with hand and/or ankle weights as a desirable exercise alternative.
I would concur with the above.
/dislike
Dont do it. I am an experienced swimmer, water polo player, and triathlete.
Doing it is the same thing as trying to do yoga while lifting weights. Its hard enough contorting your body in those positions let alone adding resistance.
If you’re interested in swimming workouts do eggbeaters, try to tread water with your shoulders out of water.
Or tread with bricks in your hand. The entire point is being able to safely “bale” from whatever you are doing. If you get too tired with weight in the pool it can get very dangerous very fast.