Nowadays, exercise and fitness have become a widespread trend. Experts remind people that many physical discomfort symptoms experienced during exercise should be taken seriously:
1. No increase in heart rate during exercise:
During exercise, the heart rate naturally increases—the greater the exertion, the faster the heart beats. If the heart rate does not rise significantly during physical activity, it may signal early-stage heart disease, indicating a potential risk of angina, myocardial infarction, or sudden cardiac death in the future.
2. Angina during exercise:
Physical activity increases the workload on the heart muscle, raising its oxygen demand.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, exercise should be stopped immediately. Sublingual nitroglycerin tablets typically resolve the angina.
3. Headaches during exercise:
A minority of heart disease patients experience no chest discomfort during episodes but develop headaches during exercise. Most attribute this to lack of rest or a cold. Therefore, individuals engaging in physical activity should seek prompt medical evaluation if experiencing exercise-induced headaches.
4. Abdominal distension and pain during exercise:
Sudden abdominal distension and pain during exercise is often caused by rectus abdominis muscle cramps due to significant fluid and salt loss through sweating. When abdominal pain occurs, lie flat and rest while performing 20-30 abdominal breaths. Simultaneously, gently massage 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.
5. Abdominal cramps during exercise:
Upper abdominal cramps commonly occur during swimming due to cold water temperatures, inadequate warm-up, or excessive exertion, leading to gastric spasms.Apply a warm compress to the upper abdomen for 20-30 minutes. Press the Neiguan (PC6) and Zusanli (ST36) 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 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.
6. Liver Area Pain During Exercise:
A distending pain in the liver area during exercise, often occurring during long-distance or middle-distance running, can be relieved by massaging the right side of the back at the Liver Shu point for 5 minutes. Pay attention to breathing technique during exercise—avoid mouth breathing and use nasal breathing as the key to prevention.
7. Spleen Distension Pain During Exercise:
Spleen distension pain during exercise is often caused by excessive exertion, slow venous blood return, and spleen congestion.
If spleen distension pain 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 come quickly.Adequate warm-up before exercise is key to prevention.
8. 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.
9. Hematuria after exercise:
This is commonly seen in individuals who engage in prolonged, intense exercise. 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.