4 abnormal signs that require immediate cessation of exercise

Consistent exercise is an essential element for maintaining a healthy life. The intensity of exercise is as important as the frequency; gradually increasing the intensity of exercise improves physical function and enhances stamina. However, no matter how beneficial exercise is for health, overexerting oneself to the point of strain is not advisable. Ignoring abnormal signals from the body and continuing to exercise can actually harm health even more. So, let's find out what warning signs indicate that you should immediately stop exercising and take a rest.

 

If dizziness occurs or concentration decreases during exercise, you should take a break.

Four signals to stop exercising

 

1. Shortness of breath and rapid heartbeat

When exercising, an increase in heart rate and shortness of breath are natural responses of the body, indicating that the body is responding normally to the exercise. However, if you experience difficulty breathing to the point of suffocation, chest tightness, or pain, it is best to stop exercising immediately and rest. If breathing is insufficient, the effectiveness of the workout can decrease, and abnormal symptoms such as headaches may occur due to inadequate oxygen supply to the brain.

 

Even if you have had enough rest, if your heart rate does not return to normal, and chest pain persists or you continue to experience difficulty breathing, you should suspect the possibility of heart conditions such as arrhythmia or angina. In particular, angina is characterized by a pressing or squeezing pain in the chest during exercise, which occurs because the blood supply to the heart is insufficient due to narrowed coronary arteries, especially when combined with physical activity. In this case, it is crucial not to engage in high-intensity exercise excessively and to consult with medical professionals to adjust the exercise intensity according to your physical condition.

 

Severe muscle pain and joint pain

After strength training, the aching pain felt in the muscles is a natural phenomenon that occurs during muscle growth. This is because muscles are stimulated, causing micro-damage, and the muscles grow as they recover from this damage. This is a normal physiological response and usually disappears within 2 to 3 days. However, if muscle pain persists for more than a week or if the pain is excessively severe, it may indicate serious muscle damage such as rhabdomyolysis rather than simple muscle soreness. Continuing to exercise excessively in this state can prevent proper recovery of the body and may even lead to kidney damage, so adequate rest is necessary.

 

Be cautious if you hear a popping sound or experience severe aching joint pain in areas other than muscles. Once a joint is damaged, it is difficult to fully recover to its original state, and improper management can lead to chronic arthritis and other issues. Moreover, if joint stability decreases, surrounding ligaments and muscles can easily be injured, increasing the risk of further injury. Therefore, if severe pain occurs in the muscles or joints, it is best to stop exercising immediately and seek medical treatment if necessary.

 

3. Decreased concentration

Exercise helps improve concentration and cognitive abilities by facilitating blood flow to the brain. However, overdoing exercise or exercising excessively when the body is fatigued can lead to excessive activation of the sympathetic nervous system, which may actually decrease concentration. When focus diminishes during exercise, the body's sense of balance and coordination can decline, increasing the risk of injury.

 

Furthermore, when the sympathetic nervous system is excessively activated, the body remains tense even during rest after exercise, making it difficult to get adequate rest. This is why it is hard to achieve restful sleep after excessive exercise. In this state, stress accumulates more in the body, recovery slows down, and ultimately, it can lead to a decline in athletic performance, so caution is necessary.

 

4. Dizziness

Dizziness occurring during exercise is a strong warning sign that the body is unable to withstand overload. Dizziness is caused by △impaired blood circulation

Electrolyte imbalance caused by dehydration

This is a common symptom that occurs when blood sugar or blood pressure drops abnormally.

Especially, exercising on an empty stomach or suddenly starting high-intensity exercise without warm-up can make dizziness more likely to occur. The cause of dizziness varies, but ignoring dizziness and continuing exercise can potentially lead to impaired consciousness or fainting, so caution is necessary.

 

When experiencing dizziness, stop exercising immediately and take sufficient rest. Drinking water or electrolyte drinks to rehydrate and eating light snacks like candy can also help control dizziness. If dizziness persists despite adequate rest, it is advisable to visit a hospital to check blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and to undergo a thorough diagnosis to check for vascular abnormalities.

 

An Se-jin HiDoc Health and Medical Reporter hidoceditor@mcircle.biz

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Exercise is done to maintain a healthy life and to become healthier, but if you experience the symptoms above immediately

I think you should stop.