Cardiovascular exercise has several health benefits, including reducing your risk for cardiovascular disease, some cancers, type 2 diabetes and obesity. Every healthy adult should exercise at least 150 minutes every week, according to the U.S. government's 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. However, if you feel tired and fatigued days after exercising, you may have underlying health conditions. Consult your doctor if you feel weaker and more tired than normal after a cardio workout.
Anemia
Iron deficiency anemia can make you feel tired and weak. Iron is an important component of hemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen in your blood. If your blood cannot deliver enough oxygen to your tissues, you can become oxygen-deprived. Anemia can make you short of breath, feeling extremely fatigued, weak and tired. Exercise increases your body's oxygen demand. If you have anemia, you can feel tired days after exercise. Your doctor can find out if you have iron deficiency with a simple blood test.
Myocarditis
Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart that can damage your heart cells and affect heart contraction. This can lead to reduced oxygen delivery to your tissues, making you feel weak and tired, particularly after physical activity, the University of Michigan's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital explains. Healthy people can develop myocarditis after a bacterial or viral infection. Symptoms of myocarditis include heart palpitations, low energy levels and low exercise tolerance. If left untreated, myocarditis can lead to heart failure. Your doctor can diagnose myocarditis with medical tests and physiological findings. You should avoid exercise if you have myocarditis because this can lead to death.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome is a health condition characterized by fatigue, weakness, muscle pain, insomnia and impaired memory. Exercise can worsen the feeling of fatigue, and it is common that people with chronic fatigue syndrome experience fatigue for more than 24 hours after a workout. If you suffer from the condition, you should avoid vigorous aerobic exercise, but it is important you do low-impact exercises like stretching and strengthening exercises. There is no exclusive diagnosis for chronic fatigue syndrome and it is typically diagnosed through the exclusion of other health conditions. As of 2010, the Centers for Disease Control report, the cause for chronic fatigue syndrome is unknown and there is no cure for the condition.
Diet
Lack of energy can also make you feel tired. If you are not eating a balanced diet that provides you enough calories and nutrients, you can become tired and weak. Exercise can worsen this. Eat fresh vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, lean meat and healthy fats so you are getting all the essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients your body needs.
Cosiderations
Feeling tired days after exercising can be a sign of a serious health condition. Some of the health conditions that can cause fatigue may be difficult to diagnose. Write down all your symptoms, when they occur and when or how they worsen. Your doctor may need this information to help diagnose your condition.
References
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans
- MayoClinic.com; Iron Deficiency Anemia; March 4, 2011
- University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital; Myocarditis; S. LeRoy, R.N.; January 2010
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Chronic Fatigue Syndrome; Oct. 15, 2010
- U.S. Department of Agriculture: Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010
