Bruising occurs when you bleed into your tissues. Depending on the level of impact of your chosen exercise, it's normal to bruise now and then. If you bruise easily after minor contacts or bruise more frequently than your peers engaged in the same exercise, seek medical help as this could be an indicator of an underlying health problem.
Bruisng is Common
Bruisng is common after high-intensity exercises. Running, skiing, high-intensity running and cycling often cause bruising in the calf area. The more strain you're subjected to, the higher the tendency to bleed. However, bleeding after minor exercises could be a sign of underlying blood vessel problems for which you should seek medical advice. Estrogen also predisposes women to bruise more easily than men because the hormone makes your tiny blood vessels more fragile.
Possible Underlying Problems
Many medical conditions can predispose you to easy bruising. Some affect your blood vessels directly, while others affect your body's ability to seal off a bleeding blood vessel. Other conditions affect your ability to produce blood-clotting factors. Vitamin C deficiency, diabetes and liver disease should also be ruled out. Blood thinning medications and age could also predispose to bruising because blood vessels become increasingly fragile as you age.
Prevention/Solution
Low-intensity exercise is actually beneficial for easy bruisers because exercise firms up your muscles to reduce chances of bruising. Exercise also boosts your metabolism and helps in wound healing. Low-intensity exercises strengthen your heart and make blood vessels better fortified against bruising. Jogging and running also reduce bruising by boosting your immune system.
Seeking Medical Help
Take extra care to prevent bruises by minimizing contact and wearing adequate protective gear for your chosen sport or exercise. After a bruise, place ice over the bruise to constrict tiny capillaries, thereby reducing swelling. Keep the bruised area above heart level if possible to slow the blood flow and reduce bruising. Take a pain reliever if the area is very sore. Seek urgent medical help if bruising spreads or you develop more bruises despite your home care.
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