Regular exercise is crucial for weight management, fitness and overall health. Strenuous exercise like running and heavy lifting, can help those who are already in shape achieve a higher level of fitness, but it may be unsafe for sedentary people. While strenuous exercise can result in injury, it does not directly cause brain damage. Understanding the benefits and risks of strenuous exercise allows you to maximize safety and achieve optimal results.
Types
Exercise comes in three basic forms---stretching, aerobics and strength training. The intensity of each type varies, depending on the amount of exertion put forth. Examples of strenuous aerobic exercise include sprinting and sports, like football or basketball, while heavy lifting is considered a strenuous form of anaerobic exercise. Even gentle stretching exercises like yoga can be strenuous when performed at an advanced level for extended periods.
Neurological Benefits
Vigorous exercise is not known to cause brain damage. In fact, aerobic exercise can have many positive effects on brain health, including improved cognition and mood. According to the National Institutes of Health, aging adults who participated in aerobic-fitness training programs experienced growth in brain volume. While the exact cause is not known, the increase in circulation that occurs during aerobic exercise is thought to play a role. In addition, strenuous exercise boosts emotional well-being by triggering the release of brain chemicals like endorphins and serotonin, according to Mayo Clinic.
Safety Risks
Strenuous exercise may not be safe for everyone, including previously sedentary people and those with health conditions like arthritis. When done improperly, vigorous exercise may be more likely to result in physical injuries, such as broken bones or muscle sprains, than low-intensity activity. Concussions and other head injuries incurred during exercise may lead to brain damage, though the risk is low when safety precautions are followed.
Prevention/Solution
Observing basic safety guidelines can greatly reduce the likelihood of injury when exercising. Beginners can obtain the benefits of exercise by starting slowly and progressing to more strenuous workouts over time. Wearing protective gear like a helmet when engaging in contact sports and other potentially dangerous activities helps prevent head injuries that can result in brain damage. Choosing activities you feel comfortable performing is another way to ensure safety. Mayo Clinic states that walking is less likely to cause injury than other forms of exercise. Warming up properly before workouts helps prevent injury by gradually preparing the body for exercise. Discussing your concerns with a doctor before starting a fitness plan can help you determine which exercises are right for you.
