There are many reasons you may experience shortness of breath during or after upper body exercise. This form of exercise is an integral part of fitness, and understanding what causes this breathing difficulty, can help you continue building your upper body strength.
Importance of Upper Body Exercise
Upper body exercise strengthens your arms, chest, neck, back and shoulders. This form of exercise helps improve your posture, reduces your risk of injury, lessens lower back pain and can improve your breathing. Exercise that works on your upper body, involves pushing, lifting, pulling, twisting and reaching. Increasing upper body strength may make holding your head in an upright position easier, and reduces fatigue and lessens neck pain.
Exercise Induced Bronchospasm
Exercise induced bronchospasm, EIB, causes breathing difficulties during or after exercise. The cause of EIB is unknown, but according to Netwellness, rapid breathing during exercise may cause airways to dry out. When this occurs, the airways become irritated, which may lead to the air tubes tightening and becoming smaller. EIB is also thought to occur due to bronchitis, which causes injury to the layer of cells that line the airways. EIB can occur in anyone, whether they have asthma or not. However, about 80 percent of people with asthma experience EIB, and between 5 to 10 percent of people without asthma have EIB. People with sinus problems, allergies or a family history of allergies are at higher risk of experiencing EIB. Symptoms start during or shortly after exercise and range from mild to severe, and include wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, chest tightness and lethargy.
Other Causes of Shortness of Breath
There are many reasons for experiencing shortness of breath during upper body exercise. MedlinePlus reports that difficulty breathing could be caused by blockage of the air passages in your nose, mouth or throat. Breathlessness may be caused by heart disease, if your heart is deficient in supplying oxygen to your body. If organs do not receive enough oxygen, a feeling of breathlessness may occur. Emotional distress can lead to difficulty breathing. Pneumonia, bronchiolitis, an arterial blood clot, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary hypertension and chronic lung problems are other reasons you may experience shortness of breath during upper body exercise.
Suggestions
Start your exercise regimen with a five- to 10-minute warm-up and rest for five minutes after the warm-up is finished. Exercise indoors if the pollutants or pollen counts are high. Your nose warms and adds moisture to air so breathe through your nose during exercise. When exercising in inclement weather, cover your nose and mouth to warm the air before it goes into your lungs. Always consult your health care provider before beginning an exercise regimen.
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