A recent research says that too much running could be dangerous and even fatal
Picture for representational purpose
Does your daily morning routine include long runs that leave you breathless and does it often translate to muscle pain and fatigue for a long time? Then hold your horses! A city doctor and fitness expert explains how running could have adverse effects on health if it is not within permissible limits.
While running capacity differs from person to person, it is important to take into consideration your stamina and ability to run. Dr Khushwant Singh, family physician at Eesha Hospital, says, “Suddenly running too much can result in hypoxia low oxygen level. This causes excessive production of lactic acid which further results in metabolic acidosis, ultimately causing Ventricular Fibrillation (irregular heart beat), which may lead to death.”
Fitness trainer Dinaz Verwatwala says that more than the quantity, optimal jogging distances also depend on the speed at which you run. Though healthy in many ways, running has its own set of ills. Dinaz says, “Your knees feel 1.8 times your body weight. This makes the knees very weak and renders running even more dangerous in the case of heavier people.”
“When you are running at a particular speed, your body temperature is high and blood is being pumped at a higher speed. When you stop suddenly, the blood supply rushes to the legs and there is a depletion of blood supply to the brain. This can cause dizziness,” she adds.
In reference to what distances you can safely run without running health risks, she says, “A maximum of 4 km per day is fine. That is a safe zone.” While for athletes it is a different thing, for those with running as a part of their fitness regime it is also important to know when to stop. Dr Khushwant Singh says, “The moment you feel a shortness of breath and acute pain in your muscles, stop over exerting yourself.”
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