Physical exercise is a primary means of enhancing health and improving physical fitness. However, it must adhere to the physiological changes occurring during human movement while paying full attention to nutrition, rest, safety, and hygiene. Otherwise, it may cause adverse effects, hinder health, or even lead to serious harm and lifelong suffering. So, what dangers should be noted during exercise?
1. Absent heart rate increase during exercise:
Heart rate naturally accelerates during physical activity, with intensity directly correlating to its pace. A lack of noticeable heart rate elevation during exercise may signal early-stage heart disease, indicating potential risks of angina, myocardial infarction, or sudden cardiac death.
2. Angina during exercise:
Physical activity increases myocardial workload and oxygen consumption. Particularly in middle-aged and elderly individuals with varying degrees of vascular hardening, exercise can cause relative cardiac hypoperfusion, leading to coronary artery spasm and angina.If this occurs, stop exercising immediately. Taking nitroglycerin sublingually will usually relieve the angina. 3. Abdominal cramps during exercise: Upper abdominal cramps often result from stomach spasms caused by swimming in cold water, inadequate warm-up, or overexertion. Apply a warm compress to the upper abdomen for 20–30 minutes.30 minutes, and manually press the Neiguan and Zusanli acupoints for 3–5 minutes each. To prevent gastric spasms, ensure thorough warm-up before exercise, avoid overeating, refrain from consuming legumes, sweet potatoes, potatoes, and similar foods, and limit cold beverages.Dull or distending pain around the navel or lower abdomen during exercise is typically intestinal cramping. Pain subsides upon ceasing activity. Apply pressure to both He Gu points for 5 minutes each, or apply a hot compress to the navel area for 10–20 minutes to relieve discomfort. To prevent intestinal cramping, ensure thorough warm-up before exercise and avoid raw or cold foods.
4. Liver Area Pain During Exercise:
A distending pain in the liver region during exercise often occurs during long-distance or middle-distance running. Massaging the right-side Liver Shu point on the back for 5 minutes can relieve the pain. Pay attention to breathing technique during exercise—avoid mouth breathing and use nasal breathing as the key preventive measure.
5. Spleen distension pain during exercise:
Spleen distension pain during exercise is often caused by excessive exertion, slow venous blood return, and spleen congestion. If this occurs, stop exercising immediately. Massage the Spleen Shu (SP11) and Stomach Shu (BL21) points—located beside the spinous processes of thoracic vertebrae T11-T12 on the left side of the spine—for 3-5 minutes. Relief should be felt shortly.Adequate warm-up before exercise is crucial for prevention.
6. Fainting during exercise:
Excessive mental tension during exercise or abruptly standing after prolonged squatting may trigger transient hypotension, causing dizziness, tinnitus, and darkened vision. Severe cases may result in immediate fainting. Cease exercise immediately; symptoms typically resolve spontaneously after appropriate rest.
7. Headaches during exercise:
Some heart disease patients experience headaches during exercise without chest discomfort. Many attribute this to lack of rest or a cold. Therefore, individuals experiencing headaches while exercising should seek prompt medical evaluation.
8. Abdominal distension and pain during exercise:
Sudden abdominal discomfort during physical activity often results from rectus abdominis muscle cramps caused by excessive sweating and loss of fluids and salts. When abdominal pain occurs, lie flat and perform 20-30 abdominal breaths while gently massaging the rectus abdominis muscles for about 5 minutes to relieve the pain.Timely replenishment of 200-300 ml of saltwater during excessive sweating is key to prevention.
9. Hematuria after exercise:
This commonly occurs in individuals engaging in prolonged, intense physical activity. Data indicates that approximately 15% of marathon runners experience hematuria after completing the full distance.This occurs because intense exercise dramatically increases blood demand to muscles and joints, reducing renal blood flow. This causes increased permeability in glomerular capillary walls, allowing red blood cells—which normally cannot pass through—to enter the urine. Exercise-induced hematuria typically resolves within about a week of rest.If the blood in urine appears dark or persists for an extended period, seek prompt medical evaluation to rule out acute nephritis. 10. Exercise-induced asthma: Most commonly occurs during cold winter months, potentially linked to respiratory tract irritation from cold air. Preventive measures include staying warm and taking necessary precautions before outdoor activities in winter.