Tragic death of teen powerlifter raises warnings about heavy weightlifting; experts list rulebook for working out

In a tragic incident, a gold-medallist female powerlifter in the Junior National Games, Yashtika Acharya died while carrying a 270kg rod that fell on her neck during a workout regime on Tuesday. According to media reports, the 17-year-old girl hailed from Rajasthan's Bikaner district.

According to Naya Shahar SHO Vikram Tiwari, who told news agency PTI, the neck of the gold medallist player broke when she was working out under the supervision of her trainer, who also suffered minor injuries.

SHO Tiwari in the report explained that Yashtika, during an attempt to lift a 270kg weight suddenly lost balance and the bar came crashing down on her neck. The incident has sent shockwaves across the country and left people thinking about the impact of lifting such a heavy load on the body.

{TRIGGER WARNING}

A 17-year-old powerlifting gold medalist died in a Bikaner gym after a 270-kg weight fell on her neck during training. Despite being rushed to the hospital, she was declared dead on arrival. pic.twitter.com/YsMgrHHX5L

¡ª Vivek Gupta | Fat Loss Coach (@vivekguptaa) February 20, 2025

Understanding the risks of lifting heavy weight on the heart health and overall body

Lifting heavy weights during a workout session without proper training may impact your health, it can put extreme pressure on your heart. ¡°The body¡¯s blood pressure levels can temporarily spike which can be a risk for those with existing heart health problems. Putting excessive strain on the heart can lead to several health complications that can become a risk. It can lead to heart problems like irregular heartbeats, artery damage, or even a heart attack in rare cases,¡± explains Dr Swarup Swaraj Pal Sr. Consultant Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeon, Gleneagles Hospitals Parel.

The risk of fainting during weightlifting increases due to sudden changes in your blood flow. Dr. Swaraj goes on to say, ¡°Not knowing the proper technique and overlooking safety can not only harm your heart but also the impact on your spine, joints, and muscles. It can further lead to slips, fractures, and serious injuries.¡±

Hence, it becomes crucial to stay vigilant and take utmost care of your health to ensure your safety. Make sure that you always warm up before lifting heavy weights.

Look out for these warning signs while working out

Whenever you are exercising, try to start with light weights, increase it gradually, and keep breathing correctly throughout the workout session. According to Dr. Swaraj, ¡°Not breathing properly or holding your breath can cause a serious rise in blood pressure levels. Additionally, if you ever feel dizzy, breathless, or experience chest pain then you stop immediately and seek medical intervention.¡±

Ways to prevent such incidents at gym

It is essential to go for regular health checkups and screenings, as it may help you to know about the existing health conditions in your body or family history. Meanwhile, Dr.Shrey Srivastava, Senior Consultant-Internal Medicine at Sharda Hospital shares essential tips to prevent accidents and injuries, safety during workouts is most central. Here are the basic safety measures to make the gym a safe place:

• Warm-Up and Cool-Down: A warm-up needs to be done to avoid muscle strains and injuries within the gym. ¡°A 5-10 minute dynamic warm-up will get the body ready for working out, while a good cool-down will eliminate any stiffness,¡± suggests Dr. Srivastava.
• Using Equipment Properly: The incorrect use of equipment causes many injuries in the gym. There should be strict adherence by gym-goers to the restrictions provided by the manufacturer for the quality standards of equipment. Users should seek assistance from trainers and should not handle any advanced machine without appropriate knowledge.
• Maintaining Proper Form: Incorrect position while squatting, deadlifting, or during the bench press can lead to extreme injuries. Having the services of a certified trainer will reduce the risk.
• Don't Exceed Weight Capacity: A person may cause muscle tears and joint damage if he or she lifts weights that exceed his or her capacity. To avoid injury, gradual weight buildup strengthens you instead of injuring you.
• Hydrate and Listen to Your Body: Lack of sufficient hydration can lead to vertigo and fatigue, and if symptoms are detected early on, it can help avert future injuries that impair movement.
• Maintain Safety in the Gym: According to Krishan Mishra a fitness enthusiast, ¡°Good gyms should provide clean floors, organized weights, and well-ventilated air against slipping hazards or danger of suffocation.¡±
• Work Out With a Spotter for Heavy Lifts: Having the assistance of the spotter avoids accidents while heavy lifting or attempting to do so.

With safety precautions as mentioned herein, gym-goers can complete their workout sessions without active hazards. ¡°Do not try to push yourself more as it may not be safe and lead to serious complications,¡± warns Dr. Srivastava.

Remember, strength training is beneficial but it should be done in a safe way to avoid any health risks.

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