Walking is one exercise you can use to help you lose weight, build muscle endurance and generally improve your health over time. But as with most other exercises, you may begin to feel the onset of fatigue in your legs and lower body after walking for an extended period. While feeling tired during exercise is normal, there are rare occasions when your legs can lose strength because of a medical condition.
Normal Fatigue
According to Bodybuilding.com, it is common to feel some level of fatigue in your legs or body during exercise. In fact, there are many different types and causes of fatigue, stemming from mental and physical roots. Lactic acid builds in your muscles during exercise or physical activity and can cause a burning or painful sensation, especially after prolonged periods of exertion. This can also occur in your legs and feet during an especially long period of walking.
Spinal Issues
In addition to normal muscle fatigue in your legs during a walk, general weakness may also be the result of a more serious condition affecting your spinal column and nerves. For example, spinal stenosis is marked by the narrowing of the cavity around the spinal cord and can lead to numbness or even loss of function in your limbs. CureResearch says as your spinal column continues to narrow, the nerves from your spinal cord will become more compressed and lead to increased weakness or discomfort.
Varicose Veins
Another possible cause of muscle weakness or fatigue in your legs can be related to symptoms associated with varicose veins. This condition is defined as having enlarged blue veins in the legs that have become swollen and raised above the surface of your skin. These veins are purple or blue and can appear as cords or lines twisted around your leg muscles. Weakness occurs as blood flow is reduced.
Considerations
If you feel a sudden and unexplained muscle weakness or fatigue in your legs after a brief period of walking, sit down and rest for a few moments to see if it subsides. If you begin to feel numbness or bruising in your legs accompanied by weakness, seek medical attention to rule out the possibility of any serious condition.
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