Feel the burn, go for the glow, sweat with the oldies. We hear multiple messages about the importance of getting your body moving and how regular physical activity positively impacts cardiovascular function, blood pressure, mobility, mood, and myriad other aspects of health. For all the benefits of exercise, there are side effects of which you should also be aware. Possible downsides to working out, however, do not mean it is better to maintain couch potato status.
Water & Exercise
Water is essential for proper blood flow and muscle function. Not being properly hydrated before a workout can lead to blood thickening, which makes your heart work harder and also sends blood pumping to the brain rather than other parts of the body. Dehydration (the first bad effect) can lead to heat exhaustion (the second), with symptoms such as cramps, stomach upsets, dizziness and confusion. Avoid dehydration by drinking fluids all day and before workouts, but never more than 2 pints. at a time. A third side-effect of physical activity is exercise-induced asthma, which, according to the Mayo Clinic, results in coughing, wheezing and feeling out of breath after working out.
Bones, Muscles & Skin
Exercise builds strong bones and muscles. Yet, performing exercises with improper form or overdoing it can cause muscle soreness (fourth bad effect) and lower back pain (fifth), as well as knee, foot and ankle injuries (sixth). Beyond muscle flare ups, exercise can exacerbate the redness and inflammation from rosacea (seventh), according to Dr. Helen Flamenbaum in an interview for Psychology Today. Yeast-related rashes can also occur when skin in the groin, armpit and neck creases rub together. A condition called "exercise acne" (eighth) erupts when sweat gland ducts clog up with oil and bacteria. These skin woes may be avoided or lessened by showering and drying yourself thoroughly after exercise, and not wearing make-up or heavy, greasy sunscreens or lotions during workouts.
Compulsive Exercise Syndrome
Intense exercise coupled with a mania for thinness could spell triple trouble for young women (ninth bad effect). Called "Female Athlete Triad," the syndrome is manifested by three symptoms: eating disorders, cessation of menstrual periods and osteoporosis. Men are susceptible to compulsive exercise syndrome as well but they are more motivated by strength and muscularity than extreme slimness.
Immune System
Two intriguing studies suggest that exercising compromises the immune system (tenth). A 1995 study in the journal "Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise" looked at the immune systems of long-distance runners and noted that intense training yielded suppression of the immune system, which could increase the likelihood of respiratory infections and the flu. Another study out of Loma Linda University examined marathon runners and demonstrated that some over-exercisers' immune systems may be compromised enough to increase the risk of their coming down with infections and illnesses.
References
- Sun Sentinel.com; Drink Up: Dehydration, Exercise, Heat Don't Mix; Eric Heiden, July 2010
- Mayo Clinic: Exercise-Induced Asthma
- The New York Times: Health Guide: Physical Activity
- Psychology Today: Improve Your Skin with Exercise; Marissa Kristal, April 2009
- NBA.com: Compulsive Exercise
- Science 2.0: Is Too Much Exercise Bad for You?; Erin Richards, November 2008
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