When you become aware of the many health benefits of workouts, the tendency is to register with the nearest gym. No sooner have you started exercising, however, than you discover there are strings attached. Tough workouts and high-intensity exercises strain different parts of your body with the weight-bearing areas being the most affected. Bruises are discolored skin areas caused by bleeding into the tissues as a result of the strain to which they are subjected.
Why You Bruise
You are a moving mass of muscle, bones and blood vessels of different sizes. The tiniest blood vessels are the most superficial and most easily affected by strain. Workouts exert different levels of strain on these tiny vessels depending on how intensely you exercise. As the intensity of your workout increases, these vessels bear the brunt especially around your legs because they bear your weight. As they get damaged, releasing blood into your tissues, the resultant discoloration is called a bruise.
When to Worry
While it is entirely normal to bruise from high-intensity or tough workouts, there are danger signs to look out for. Easy bruising as opposed to bruising from tough workouts could be a problem signal. For this reason, your first concern should be how much you bruise relative to your workout intensity and relative to your peers. Reduce your workout intensity and see how it affects your bruising tendency. Seek medical help if you continue to bruise from low-intensity workouts.
Predisposing Factors
You either bleed because your blood does not clot effectively or because you have unusually weak blood vessels. Anemia, hemophilia, leukemia and liver disease can reduce your blood clotting potential, resulting in easy bruising. Taking a blood thinner could also be the culprit. Vasculitis and varicose veins weaken your capillaries thereby predisposing you to easy bruising. Blood vessel weakness with increasing age also predisposes you to bruising.
Preventing Bruises
The easiest way of preventing bruises from tough workouts is reducing your exercise intensity. That shouldn't stop you from engaging in workouts, however, it rather prepares your body to cope better with workouts thereby reducing bruises. Aerobic exercises strengthen your body against easy bruising. As your body adapts, you can gradually increase your workout intensity again. Remember to seek the advice of a physical therapist before altering your exercise routines.
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