Are my son's uneven Trapezius Muscles due to weight lifting?

1. 52

   Michelle Cullenposted 13 years ago

   Are my son's uneven Trapezius Muscles due to weight lifting?
   
   My son just turned 15, he's 6'1", 195lbs, HS football, and has been lifting and doing other workoutsto prep.  I just noticed his trapezius muscle on his left side (he's right handed), is much larger and  looks extremely uneven (almost buldging in appearance).  It obviously concerns me and was wondering if you could provide advice.  I am contemplating bringing him to his physician and would appreciate any relevant information possibly contributing to the problem as it relates to his weight lifting regime.  Thanks so much.
   Michelle Cullen

   replyreport
2. 57

   foreignpressposted 13 years ago

   Much depends on whether your son knows what he's doing. it could be he's using the weights incorrectly. It might also be that he's not allowing enough recovery time between workouts.
      Remember that muscle bulge is built by first shredding the muscle then allowing it to heal. In time this creates muscle mass. Sometimes it's artificial like using steroids. Regardless, if the shredded muscle is not given enough time to heal between workouts then injuries result.
      Your son should be supervised by a qualified trainer during these workouts. I'm not talking about a "spotter," who merely ensures that the lifter isn't injured. But a trainer will know when a weight is being used incorrectly.
      To be safe, your son should see a qualified specialist who might even recommend x-rays to check for muscle damage or a buildup of fluid surrounding a stressed muscle.
      Personally, I wouldn't attempt any more weight lifts until this abnormal bulge was thoroughly checked out.

   replyreport
3. 59

   dabeanerposted 13 years ago

   On machines where one works both arms (or legs) together, there can be a tendency to favor one side or the other.  Paying conscious attention that tendency is necessary.
   
   If an imbalance develops, then the tendency is for it to develop even more due to the stronger side carrying more of the common load.
   
   He should seek out the machines that allow each side to be exercised independently so he can build up the weaker side.

   replyreport
4. 0

   Dalyinxposted 13 years ago

   There aren't many exercises that he could be doing that could create an imbalance in his trapezius, at least not one that would be too noticeable after a short period of time (he's 15, so I assume he's only been lifting for a little while.) 
   
   Since the larger muscle is actually on his weaker side, I'm inclined to believe that the issue may be skeletal as opposed to muscular.  One of the most common culprits in trapezius imbalance is scoliosis.  I suggest getting him checked for that - a curve in the spine, even slight, can cause the trapezius to become unbalanced. 
   
   Weight lifting is a possibility, but since most people work their traps with a barbell (shrugs, upright rows), I think it'd be pretty difficult for him to develop it from training with weights.

   replyreport