Research Corner - Q&A Red Marks from Lifting Weights by Mike Demora | Date Released : 27 Jun 2002 0 comments Print Close Question: I have a client who has red marks on his traps, which he developed after doing shoulder presses with 80 to 85 percent of his one rep max. Do you know what they could be? Answer: The first suggestion I have is one I start almost every article with: you should have your client see his physician. With that said, it sounds to me like a case of broken blood vessels. Often, when an individual attempts high loads for reps, he will push extreme amounts of blood with extreme pressure into a small area. This extreme situation will cause the capillaries just under the skin to burst, causing red streaks to appear. They should go away within a couple of weeks if this is the case. Once again, I am not a physician and I am not even able to see exactly what it looks like. There is an off chance that if this gentleman has grown in girth quite rapidly in the last few months, he may have developed stretch marks or actually a slight tearing of some of the under layers of skin. These are very common in individuals who get too big too quickly. Often, pregnant women will get these in their later months of pregnancy. The skin just doesn’t want to stretch any more. Many people treat these with vitamin E both orally and topically. I have seen many studies that show this treatment to be only somewhat effective, if that. Again, take time to see what this client’s physician has to say. Good luck! Back to top About the author: Mike Demora Mike DeMora has been in the industry 15 years but has kept himself hidden away in Southern California for most of this time. He decided to accept the position as Director of Education for the National College of Exercise Professionals and has not looked back. Mike is a Board Certified Exercise Therapist (NETABOC.org) and has a Master's degree in Sports Science and Education. Full Author Details Related content Content from Mike Demora Red Face After Cardio Ben Greenfield | Articles Calcification of Femur Mike Demora | Articles No Thyroid and Weight Loss Mike Demora | Articles Gymnastics and Stunted Growth Mike Demora | Articles Weight Training and Youth Mike Demora | Articles Effect of Temperature on Performance Mike Demora | Articles Lyme Disease Mike Demora | Articles Teenage Track Athletes Mike Demora | Articles High Heart Rate with Exercise Mike Demora | Articles Thyroid and Weight Loss Mike Demora | Articles Cardiomyopathy Mike Demora | Articles Diarrhea and Running Mike Demora | Articles Dementia Mike Demora | Articles Horse Riding and Muscle Imbalances Mike Demora | Articles Red Marks from Lifting Weights Mike Demora | Articles Shin Splints Mike Demora | Articles Allergies and Exercise Mike Demora | Articles Females Running: Impact Issues Mike Demora | Articles Red Tingling Hands Mike Demora | Articles Mild Kyphosis Mike Demora | Articles Torn Cartliage Mike Demora | Articles Yawning During Exercise Mike Demora | Articles Swollen Fingers, Red Hands Mike Demora | Articles Hip Dysplasia Mike Demora | Articles Osgood-Schlatter Mike Demora | Articles Crash Diet Dangers Mike Demora | Articles Freestyle Training for Spot Reduction Mike Demora | Articles Emphysema Mike Demora | Articles Patella Femoral Syndrome and Squatting Mike Demora | Articles Chondromalacia and Exercises Mike Demora | Articles Graves Disease Mike Demora | Articles Leg Surgery: Low Impact Exercises Mike Demora | Articles Gout in Elbow Mike Demora | Articles Pear Shaped Female Runners Part 1 Mike Demora | Articles Pear Shaped Female Runners Part 2 Mike Demora | Articles Tips for Spotting Mike Demora | Articles Running: Sports Specific Training for 800m Mike Demora | Articles Muscle Twitches Mike Demora | Articles Politeus Muscle: Exercises Mike Demora | Articles Crepitus "Cracking" in Joints Mike Demora | Articles Big Legs and Thighs Mike Demora | Articles Breathing During Exercise Mike Demora | Articles Electric Muscle Stimulators Mike Demora | Articles Brown Adipose Tissue Mike Demora | Articles Achilles Tendon Surgery, Decreased ROM Mike Demora | Articles Glandular Fever Mike Demora | Articles Plantar Fasciitis Mike Demora | Articles Lower Cross Syndrome Mike Demora | Articles Blind Client: Training Programs Mike Demora | Articles Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness Mike Demora | Articles Hypertension Mike Demora | Articles Encephalitis Mike Demora | Articles Cold Hands Mike Demora | Articles Leg Burn when Changing from Running to Cycling Mike Demora | Articles Large Stomachs Mike Demora | Articles Stitch Mike Demora | Articles Water Polo Mike Demora | Articles Please login to leave a comment Comments (0) Back to top