WHILE we like people to exercise, there are also dangers to doing it too much. Exercise does us a world of good, but consequently, doing too much may also negate its benefits.
These are the effects of over-exercise on the body:
- Some physical effects of overtraining can include increased resting heart rate, decreased appetite, restless legs and dehydration.
- Sleep disturbances such as poor sleep quality or insomnia.
- Mental effects such as poor mood and increased stress.
- In women, overexercising, along with undereating (based on the amount of training they are doing), can lead to amenorrhea (classified as no menstrual period for three months or more).
- For women with amenorrhea (caused from an energy imbalance), overtraining can lead to a higher risk for low bone mass leading to weakened bones called osteoporosis. This type of bone loss can cause an increased risk for fractures, including stress fractures.
So be careful and listen to your body when exercising. Rest may sometimes do more good for you when you are over-fatigued.