Variations in Intraocular Pressure Among Athletes Across Different Sports Disciplines

TL;DR

This study found that weightlifting increases eye pressure more than marathon running, suggesting strength athletes may need more eye health monitoring.

Contribution

The study compares how endurance and strength sports affect intraocular pressure, revealing distinct impacts between the two disciplines.

Findings

Weightlifters showed a significant increase in intraocular pressure after training.

Marathon runners had stable or slightly reduced intraocular pressure after training.

The study highlights the need for ophthalmologic monitoring in strength athletes.

Abstract

Objectives: Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is a well-known risk factor for glaucoma. This study investigated the impact of two distinct types of physical activity—endurance (marathon running) and strength (weightlifting)—on IOP variations. Methods: Forty healthy male athletes (20 marathon runners, 20 weightlifters) aged 18–35 years were recruited and monitored over three months. IOP was measured using Goldmann and Icare IC200 tonometers before and after 1 h training sessions. Results: The results showed a significant increase in IOP after training among weightlifters (mean post-training IOP: 19.3 mmHg), in contrast to stable or slightly reduced values in marathon runners (mean post-training IOP: 15.1 mmHg). Conclusions: These findings suggest the need for regular ophthalmologic monitoring in strength athletes. Future studies should examine the long-term impact of sport-specific IOP fluctuations on ocular health and glaucoma risk.

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