Weight-Lifting

[athlete19]

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I am a current Dental student, and am an avid weight-lifter/trainer. Do you think weight-lifting is beneficial or harmful to a dentist's dexterity? Do you think it strengthens and stabilizes a dentist's hand or makes it shaky and desensitized in the long-run? Any advice or knowledge on this manner is greatly appreciated.

 

[MatthewLeeDDS]

I would imagine it's pretty irrelevant. Think about this: has weight lifting ever effected your hand writing? Weight lifting doesn't change your coordination skills, just your strength. I think your muscle memory from doing dental work will be completely unaffected by increased strength, including in your arms and hands.

 

[Decan]

Focus on your lower back.

 

[Ostracized]

Just be really careful that you don't injure yourself. Tendinitis, sprains and other injuries could really put you out of commission in dental school/work.

 

[brainache]

I was thinking about this too, and concluded that muscle fatigue would make it very hard to keep the arms and hands steady. Lifting makes you stronger, but it can also take a large toll on the nervous system - if you're fatigued, it might be hard to stay focused and precise. So i guess, if you want to lift, make rest and nutrition a top priority. and save leg day for the weekend 🙂

 

[eventualOMFS]

What Decan said: focus on your lower back. This is huge. Deadlifts, Roman deadlifts, supermans, whatever...good posture will save you.

Be careful with your wrists and forearms. Wear gloves, wrap up if needed.

 

[bigstix808]

I would imagine it's pretty irrelevant. Think about this: has weight lifting ever effected your hand writing? Weight lifting doesn't change your coordination skills, just your strength. I think your muscle memory from doing dental work will be completely unaffected by increased strength, including in your arms and hands.

this is pretty much right on. my only addition is to be careful if you do a lot of forearm exercises as it could lead to carpel tunnel syn. (being a rock climber/gymnast my orthopod loves me lol). maintain proper technique and posture chair side ... go work out as much as you want.

 

[dentaldawg32]

this is pretty much right on. my only addition is to be careful if you do a lot of forearm exercises as it could lead to carpel tunnel syn. (being a rock climber/gymnast my orthopod loves me lol). maintain proper technique and posture chair side ... go work out as much as you want.

Actually, you're more likely to get carpel tunnel sitting at your desk typing all day. Heavy deadlifts, stiff-legged deads, and shrugs will work your forearms, wrists, and hands at no risk of carpal tunnel.

OP, I also strength train (currently on Madcows' 5x5). I train intensely 3 days a week doing bench, squat, deadlift, and military press and eat upwards of 4000 calories a day (I'm a hard-gainer). I feel great and don't plan on stopping when I start school in a couple weeks.

Remember - there's no such thing as overtraining, just undereating.

 

[yappy]

I love this. I've been noticing predent/dents are alot more jockish than our premed counterparts. Long live the dead lift.

 

[Pedosmakebank]

 

[fridgeraider]

the only issue I've noticed with weight lifting is shaky hands immediately post-work out. This was only an issue in dental school when I had mornings off, would lift heavy, then see patients in the afternoon.

 

[yappy]

.

 

[dentrilla]

As mentioned earlier, I only get shaky hands directly after working out. So I'd say keep save your workouts for after school if possible!

 

[allover]

keep lifting that "lite weight". 😉

 

[gsquared]

I've actually noticed that my hand eye coordination and dexterity/proprioception have improved since I have taken up lifting and yoga. Sorry for the necro thread reboot, but I thought this was important.

 

[Occlusionist]

I too was worried about this. Theoretically I don't think weightlifting if done right can change your dexterity much, but like you said if you are into heavy lifting don't do it in the morning right before seeing patients. I would do it after work and be rested for the next day. I do rock climbing every now and then and thats the exercise that completely destroys my forearms and impairs my dexterity after. If you do exercises like that make sure theyre on a Friday night or something so that you are fully recovered by Monday. One thing I would be worried about though is injuries. You always hear of freak injuries at the gym and permanent nerve damage. I mountain bike and play tennis a lot too which I think are giving me pain in my hands every now and then. 🙁

 

[Digitalangel]

I think its more beneficial. I'm a girl and started lifting one year ago, but every time i lift I can't help but think that my stronger forearms/arms will help with extractions in comparison to other girls. I also make sure I work out my lower back as well because I know I'll need it later on.