Excessive fitness training may lead to collapse, death – Experts
Senior healthcare professionals have warned against abusing exercise and overexerting the body that may lead to death.
The experts urged fitness enthusiasts to adopt moderate training routines for long-term health and wellness, noting that excessive workouts could lead to severe health complications, including sudden collapse and, in extreme cases, death.
They also advised individuals to seek professional guidance to determine appropriate fitness plans instead of self-prescribing intense workout routines.
A Professor of Physiotherapy at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Rufus Adedoyin, said while regular physical activity is essential for optimal health, it must be approached with caution.
He noted that overexercising could result in injuries, muscle strains, frustration and, in rare instances, fatalities.
“Exercise can be abused just like drugs. We’ve seen cases where people push themselves too hard and end up with serious injuries.
“That’s why proper assessment and guidance are critical. If someone is overtraining or exercising incorrectly, they may suffer joint injuries, bone fractures, muscle strains, or tendon damage.
“They might also experience excessive fatigue, irritability, and mental burnout. In extreme cases, people may lose consciousness due to exhaustion. Overtraining can lead to persistent pain, severe muscle soreness, and in rare cases, sudden collapse or even death,” he warned.
Adedoyin advised gym enthusiasts to adopt moderate routines rather than high-intensity workouts, which are better suited for professional athletes or those with specific fitness goals.
“I recommend moderate exercises, especially for people who are not professional athletes.”
Okafor, who is an Associate Professor of Physiotherapy at the University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, warned that exercise could be abused if done incorrectly.
He explained that it was important for individuals to monitor their cardiopulmonary parameters before engaging in any physical activity.
“If an individual goes into exercising without being sure of their cardiopulmonary parameters and without understanding the type of exercise they’re doing, that individual may be abusing exercise,” he said.
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