Correct me if I am wrong, but I would imagine this condition to be extremely uncommon for a powerlifter, bodybuilder etc. It could be a possibility if they had managed to herniate a disc at some stage, but even then you are only looking at a very small percentage of herniated lumbar discs that evolve into Cauda equina syndrome.
Indeed that is correct fortunately CE is RARE but HNP is by far the most common cause. So why do I mention it? Because it's the ONLY bonafied reason to have a "laminectomy" to relieve the nerve root compression from a HNP. THE absolute WORST REASON IS ISOLATED PAIN and to a lesser extent that includes RADICULAR PAIN. Fact is 20-30% of ASYMPTOMATIC ADULTS will have a HNP!
More importantly because the VERTEBRAL DISKS are comprised of at least 95% WATER once herniation occurs, the water condenses and is resorbed into the central circulation. The latter process remarkably shrinks the disk which relieves the root compression! FOR THIS VERY REASON EXCEPTING CES surgery may and should be delayed at least ONE YEAR in almost ALL PATIENTS, IMO. (Also the current recommendation of the ACOS, and ACNS)
I mean look at the data on decompressive laminectomies, it sucks, with the majority of patients still in pain or worse three years later.
Like PLK and others have mentioned, regular bar hangs and other exercises that decompress the spine will work wonders as preventative measures.