Can too much exercise damage your health?

Actually, too much of anything is bad for you, not just exercise. Physical activity is indeed very important for a good state of health. Still, modern society is mostly sedentary so there aren’t many people who get to do too much exercise.

Even so, there are some cases when exercise can be detrimental to your health, even if you’re not overdoing it.

I keep hearing more and more often that too much exercise can damage your joints. Research shows that the problem might be, in fact, related to genetic heritage, not to physical activity.

This means you might be born with weak cartilage or incorrectly aligned joints and worsen your condition in time, with physical activities added on top. Joint alignment can also change after an injury, and again, with physical effort, the situation can become more serious.

The Fine Line Between Health and Overexertion

For most healthy individuals performing regular exercise comes with more advantages than disadvantages. Even people who have osteoarthritis can find low-impact sports that will not further damage their joints. Like the wrong type of exercise, being sedentary will worsen the condition.

Let’s not forget that exercise also improves joint flexibility and strengthens the muscles that support the joints.

A proper workout can also generate some intense food cravings. With exercise included, you must find the balance between physical activity and diet. It is possible to gain weight even if you perform regular exercise.

Performing some exercises incorrectly (weightlifting, push-ups, squats…etc.) can cause muscle and back injuries or worsen existing ones. Individuals with poor posture cannot mindlessly jump into strength training or other strenuous activities without consulting a doctor and learning exactly what they must do to improve their condition.

There’s also an increasing number of people who become addicted to exercise. Extreme exercise doesn’t only lead to injuries; it can also have negative long-term effects on the heart.

Bottom line, exercise is extremely beneficial for your body and mind. There’s no doubt about it. It’s also very important that you allow the body to rest after a good workout. Most people take a day or two per week, in between training days, to let the muscles rest and recuperate. Also, you can treat your sore muscles with different types of exercises or rest. Don’t overdo anything, if you feel sore, don’t push it.