Exercise - Toxic Effects

Description

Although Exercise is generally regarded as a therapeutic activity, it does cause some negative health effects, especially in cases of over-indulgence.  This section lists the (temporary) negative effects of excessive Exercise.

The effects of excessive Exercise are often known as Overtraining, Over-Training or Over-Training Syndrome (OTS).

Cardiovascular System

 Long-term intensive Exercise may increase the risk of Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

 Tachycardia (increased Heartbeat rate) may occur as a normal side-effect of intensive Exercise:

 This is not necessarily dangerous, unless the heartbeat rate becomes too excessive during Exercise.

Immune System

 Excessive, strenuous Exercise may increase the incidence of Bacterial & Viral Diseases (infections):  ^[1]

 However, regular moderate Exercise enhances may reduce the incidence of Bacterial & Viral Diseases.

 Excessive, strenuous Exercise may temporarily suppress the Immune System for up to six hours:  ^[2]

 However, regular moderate Exercise may enhance the function of the Immune System.

The changes in the Immune System that occur as a result of excessive Exercise occur in two phases:

 Initially there is an approximate 50% increase in circulating Lymphocytes that occurs immediately upon cessation of excessive Exercise.  This increase lasts for approximately thirty minutes and is believed to be stimulated by the release of Adrenaline during Exercise.